1. Job Prospects in Food Tecnology
The Cabinet of India on June 21, 2007, granted its approval to an integrated plan, which aims to promote
India's food processing sector and boost the country's agricultural business (according to a press
release). As per the report there are about 300 Million upper and-middle-class consumers of processed
and packaged food in the country, and another 200 Million are likely to be added by 2010. Ministry of
Food Processing Industries is planning to establish 500 food parks in the Tenth Five Year Plan across
every parliamentary constituency. This will give a further boost to the growth and development of food
processing industries and thereby is generating a huge job potential for those who have an aptitude for
the work and required qualifications.
The food processing industry is still at its nascent stage in India. It thus provides ample employment
opportunities. The areas where one can find employment in this industry are:
Food processing companies and food research laboratories
Food wholesalers
Hospitals
Catering establishments
Retailers
Restaurants provide employment to candidates with degrees in home science and specializations in food
technology, nutrition or food services management. Diploma holders in dietetics, applied nutrition, food
science and preservation and those having certificate in dietetics or food and nutrition can also be
employed in this industry.
Bacteriologist, toxicologists and those trained in packaging technology, organic chemistry, biochemistry
and analytical chemistry can find opening food technology laboratories or in quality control departments.
A number of public sector undertakings in the department of food also require people in this field. The
Food Corporation of India, which handles the purchase, storage transport and distribution of food grains
and other food items, provide employment to large number of people. Modern Food Corporation which
markets bread, fruit juices, edible oils, soft drink concentrates and North-Eastern Agricultural Marketing
Corporation which markets and process fruits and vegetables also recruits people.
Self-employment opportunities also exist in the form of dynamic delivery networks for those who want to
work on their own.
Private sector companies have been the key players in the food sector and even companies like ITC are
now moving into the sector, seeing the potential in processed foods.
Some other back-end jobs in this industry are:
Bakers
Meat, poultry, trimmers, and fish cutters
Slaughterers and meat packers
Food batch makers
Food cooking machine operators and tenders
Food and tobacco roasting, baking and drying machine operators and tenders
The major players in private sector in this industry in India are:
ITC Limited
Parle Products Pvt. Ltd.
Agro Tech Foods
Amul
Perfetti India Ltd.
Cadbury India Ltd.
PepsiCo India Holdings
Nestle India Pvt. Ltd.
Britannia Industries Ltd.
Hindustan Lever Limited
Milkfood

2. MTR foods limited
Godrej industries Limited
Gits Food Products Pvt. Ltd.
Dabur India Ltd.
Nature of Work
Food technologists, technicians, bio technologists and engineers are required in this industry for the
practical application of the principles of many disciplines of science in the manufacturing or production,
preservation and packaging, processing and canning of various food products. All this needs preparation
of raw materials for processing which involves selection, or cleaning of the raw material, followed by the
actual processing, which could be chopping, blanching, crushing, mixing or even cooking of the food item,
the addition of preservatives and the final packaging along with keep in hygiene and maintaining quality of
products. Following people are needed for the work in food processing industry:
Food technologists: They are given the responsibility of determining whether a particular process is
being performed in a certain specified way or not. They are instrumental in devising new ways and
improving the older ones for preserving, conserving and processing food. They have to check for the
contamination, adulteration and controlling the nutritional value of the food products which are to be
processed. Food technologist are also assigned to determine to quality of the raw materials used in the
plants aw well as the food which has to be dispatched to the market. They also look after the storage
conditions and hygiene.
Organic Chemists: They advise on the methods by which the raw materials have to be converted into
processed food.
Biochemists: They suggest improvements in flavor, texture, storage and quality.
Analytical Chemists: They analyze food products to maintain quality.
Home Economists: They are in a way expert in dietetics and nutrition. They test the food and recipes
according to the directions on the containers.
Engineers: Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Agricultural and Civil engineers are also required
for planning, designing, improving and maintaining the processing systems.
Research Scientists: They carry on experiments regarding improvement in yield, flavor, nutritive value
and general acceptability of the packaged food.
Managers and accountants: They manage administration and the finances apart from supervising the
processing work.
Personality
Following the personal attributes required in this industry
Conscientious
Meticulous
Organizational abilities
Particular about cleanliness and hygiene
Prudent
Hard working