1. Food Products & Processing Systems

2. Objectives
To gain a basic understanding of the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway.
To discover career options available within the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway.
To explore the working environment, educational requirements, skills needed and salary of careers available within the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway.

3. Pathway Overview Careers focus on food production, quality and safety
Duties include:
creating new food products
analyzing nutrient sources in food products
inspecting and ensuring quality of food products

4. Biochemist/Toxicologist
Career description:
research various properties of living cells and organisms and the effects food sources have on those cells and organisms

5. Biochemist/Toxicologist
Career description:
responsible for researching, developing, testing and evaluating products meant for improving food production

6. Biochemist/Toxicologist
Education/training:
bachelor’s degree in biological science is typically the minimum requirement
master’s or doctoral degree in biological science is needed for some positions
Median salary:
$79,390

7. Dietician/Nutritionist
Career description:
plan and provide food service or nutritional programs to promote health and disease control
supervise food service systems, counsel individuals and/or conduct nutritional research

8. Dietician/Nutritionist
Education/training:
bachelor’s degree in foods and nutrition, food service systems or a related field is the minimum requirement
master’s or doctorate degree could be required
licensure may be required
Median salary:
$53,250

9. Microbiologist/ Bacteriologist
Career description:
investigate the many characteristics of microscopic organisms
use biotechnology to study cell reproduction
research various methods such as genetic engineering for improving food production

10. Microbiologist/ Bacteriologist
Career description:
identify and classify microorganisms found in human, water and food specimens
study the control of epidemics and the effects antibiotics have on microorganisms

11. Microbiologist/ Bacteriologist
Education/training:
bachelor’s degree in biological science is typically the minimum requirement
master’s or doctorate degree could be required
Median salary:
$65,920

12. Food Scientist Career description:
study the principles of the production, processing and deterioration of food
analyze food content in order to determine levels of vitamins, fats, sugars and proteins

13. Food Scientist Career description:
make processed foods safe, palatable and healthful
find new food sources
determine the best ways to process, package, preserve, store and distribute food
monitor the safety and sanitation of food processing areas

14. Food Scientist Education/training:
bachelor’s degree in food science minimum requirement
other acceptable degrees might include biology or chemistry
master’s or doctoral degree needed in some positions
Median salary:
$58,450

15. Meat Cutter/Grader Career description:
convert animal carcasses into boxed meat
prepare portions of meat for retail establishments
weigh, wrap and label meats for display

16. Meat Cutter/Grader Career description:
prepare special cuts to fill unique orders for customers
grade, sort or classify unprocessed food

17. Meat Cutter/Grader Education/training:
bachelor’s degree in animal or food science is required for graders
acquire skills through on-the-job training
highly skilled butchers train one to two years

18. Meat Cutter/Grader Meat cutter’s median salary: $23,950
Meat grader’s median salary:
$19,080

19. Meat Processor Career description: slaughter and clean meat animals
cut standard or premium cuts of meat for processing and marketing
cut carcasses into large wholesale cuts

20. Meat Processor Education/training:
acquire skills through on-the-job training
Median salary:
$23,380

21. Produce Buyer Career description:
purchase farm products for processing or resale
negotiate contracts with farmers
arrange for storage and transportation of products
examine crops to estimate their value

22. Produce Buyer Education/training:
vocational schools or related on-the-job experience
associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field such as food science is preferred
Median salary:
$51,770

23. Food & Drug Inspector Career description:
inspect agricultural commodities to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality and safety

24. Food & Drug Inspector Career description:
collect samples from animals, plants or by-products and send to laboratories for microbiological assessment and other testing
inspect food products and processing procedures for safety

25. Food & Drug Inspector Education/training:
bachelor’s degree in an agricultural or food science field is required
Median salary:
$40,500

26. Discussion Questions
Describe the Food Products and Processing Systems Pathway and the careers available within the pathway.
What education and training requirements are needed for most careers in this pathway?
What are the working conditions for most careers in this pathway?

27. Discussion Questions
4. Describe the average earnings of some careers in this pathway and why they differ from other careers.
5. List three character traits you possess which would make you successful in a career in this pathway.

28. Resources U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Washington, D.C.: Jist Works, 2013.

29. Acknowledgements Production Coordinator Holly Mannan John Carroll
Graphics Designer
Technical Writer
Jessica Odom
Vice President of
Executive Producers
Brand Management
Gordon Davis, Ph.D.
Clayton Franklin
Dusty Moore
CEV Multimedia. Ltd.
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