The honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi’s quote: “The sleeping elephant has now started to run,” aptly encapsulates India’s current economic landscape. India has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest economy following Germany in terms of GDP.
According to a report by Research and Markets, the food tech sector in India is growing rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 39% expected between 2021 and 2025. By 2025, it is projected to reach a market value of around INR 1,868.19 billion. This growth trajectory shows potential and opportunities within the Indian Food Tech sector.
Government programs like “Make in India” and “Digital India” are creating a supportive atmosphere for entrepreneurship and innovation in this sector. Some of the players of today are Zomato, Swiggy, Paperboat, Bira 91, Milkbasket, Chai Point and many more. With a growing focus on health, sustainability, and convenience, the demand for professionals in food technology has increased with a surge in Food Technology job opportunities as well.
Understanding Food Technology
Before we explore job opportunities, let us understand the fundamentals of food technology. Food technology is the application of science and engineering principles to the production, processing, preservation, packaging, and distribution of food. It involves a blend of various disciplines such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, and engineering to ensure the safety, quality, and nutritional value of food products.
Here are various aspects of Food Technology to gain its understanding and significance.
- Food Processing: This aspect involves transforming raw agricultural products into consumable food products through various physical, chemical, and biological processes. It includes processes like cleaning, sorting, milling, grinding, cooking, baking, fermentation and more.
- Food Preservation: Food preservation techniques are employed to inhibit or retard the growth of microorganisms, enzymes, and other spoilage factors that can degrade food quality. Common methods of food preservation include refrigeration, freezing, canning, dehydration, pasteurisation, irradiation, and the use of preservatives.
- Food Packaging: Food packaging plays a crucial role in protecting food from physical, chemical, and microbiological contamination during storage, transportation, and distribution. Modern food packaging materials are designed to be durable, lightweight, eco-friendly, and conducive to extending shelf life while minimising environmental impact.
- Food Safety & Quality Assurance: This involves implementing food safety standards, protocols, and quality control measures throughout the production process. Food technologists conduct risk assessments, microbiological testing, and chemical analysis to identify and mitigate potential hazards. They also monitor compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards to uphold consumer trust and confidence in food products.
- Food Engineering: Food engineering applies principles of engineering, such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer, to optimise food processing operations and equipment design. Food engineers design and develop innovative technologies and systems to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in food production.
Recent Trends and the Modern-Day Scenario
Consumers are becoming more conscious about what they eat, demanding products that are not only tasty but also healthy and sustainable. The rise of plant-based alternatives, clean labelling, and functional foods are just a few examples. Let’s explore some of the recent trends and their implications on the modern-day scenario of food technology.
- Rise of Plant-Based Alternatives: The growing concerns about health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare have made consumers shift to plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy, and other animal products. Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are famous for their plant-based burgers that taste and feel like real beef burgers, meeting the growing demand for meat alternatives.
- Clean Label Movement: The clean label movement reflects consumers’ growing desire for transparency and simplicity in food products. Clean label products are made without artificial additives, preservatives, or synthetic chemicals, addressing consumers’ worries about health, nutrition, and food safety. Brands like RXBAR, known for their minimalist packaging and simple ingredient lists.
- Technological Innovations in Food Production: Precision agriculture and vertical farming are the latest innovations in food production. Also, robotics and automation technologies are being increasingly adopted in food processing facilities to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and enhance food safety.
- Personalised Nutrition and functional Foods: Personalised nutrition uses technology like genetic testing, microbiome analysis, and wearable devices to give personalised diet advice based on factors like genetics, nutrition needs, and lifestyle. Examples include fortified breakfast cereals, probiotic yogurt, and antioxidant-rich superfood snacks.
- Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Companies are exploring alternatives to traditional plastic packaging, such as compostable bioplastics, edible packaging films, and reusable containers made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo, paper, and plant-based plastics.
Food Technology Job Market
The food technology job market is all about making food better, safer, and tastier using science and technology. It’s a field where people work to develop new food products, improve food quality, and ensure food safety. With the rapid expansion of the food industry, the demand for skilled professionals in food technology has never been higher. There are many different jobs in food technology, like food scientists, quality control specialists, food engineers and many more. With the growing demand for healthier and more convenient food options, the job market for food technologists is expected to keep growing in the future.
Upon completing education, food tech graduates can explore a wide range of job roles in both the public and private sectors. Some of these include:
- Food Technologist: You will handle developing new food products, improving existing ones, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
- Quality Assurance Manager: You will be involved in checking the quality control process to maintain high standards of food safety and quality.
- Research Scientist: As a research scientist you will conduct experiments and research studies to advance knowledge in food science and technology.
- Food Safety Specialist: You will implement and monitor food safety protocols to prevent contamination and ensure consumer safety.
- Product Development Manager: You will be leading teams in the creation and launching of new food products, from concept to commercialisation.
Food Technology Courses and Education
Whether you’re interested in creating new flavours, ensuring food safety, or improving food production processes, food technology courses are there to help you pursue your passion. Many universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in food technology, providing students with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of the field. Shoolini University is the best university for Food Technology in India.
Why Choose Shoolini University for Food Technology courses?
Top Rankings
Shoolini University is the No.1 Private University in India as per Times Higher World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Rankings 2024. Also, THE Subject Rankings 2024 ranks Shoolini as the No.1 Private University of India in Engineering. All these top rankings make Shoolini stand out as the best university for Food Technology in India.
Research-Oriented Curriculum
Shoolini offers undergraduate programs such as B Tech Food Technology and BSc Food Technology; and postgraduate programs like M Tech Food Technology and MSc Food Technology. The School of Bio-Engineering & Food Technology at Shoolini helps students apply engineering principles to biological systems. It also helps students to design, analyse and modify various bio-engineering processes to solve real-world challenges. The research-oriented curriculum focuses on hands-on training sessions, workshops and practical sessions.
Re-imagined SRP Program
Shoolini has a special B Tech degree program known as the Summit Research Program (SRP). This program is part of the regular engineering curriculum but focuses on research. Students get hands-on experience in high-quality research, learn to write and publish technical papers and receive personal guidance from experts in the field. They also get to interact with famous researchers from around the world. The undergrad students are mentored to file patents in the first year through SRP program.
Global Exposure
Shoolini provides global exposure to the students with its tie-ups and collaborations with international universities. The top international campuses include Cranfield University in the UK, Ankara University and Çankırı Karatekin University in Turkey, Gachon University in South Korea, and the University of Naples in Italy.
Conclusion
The job market value in food technology is on the rise, fueled by evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements. With the right education and skills, aspiring professionals can carve out rewarding careers in this dynamic industry. Food Technology salaries can vary, depending on factors like education, qualification, experience, specialisation and many more. The field is ever-evolving and offers a wealth of opportunities to explore and grow.
If you have a knack for science and love food, start your exciting journey into the world of food technology with Shoolini University.
