Careers in Food Science

The multi-billion dollar food industry is the largest manufacturing industry in the U.S. All of the food products in a grocery store and many foods offered on restaurant menus have been developed and tested by food scientists. Students in the food science program, the only one in the state of Idaho, learn how to apply biology, chemistry, nutrition, engineering, and other sciences to improve the safety and quality of food products, develop new food products, and design new, safer, and more energy efficient food processes. Graduates with a B.S. in Food Science may work to enhance the quality of foods through biotechnology, improve the microbial and chemical safety of foods, develop new food flavors, extend the shelf life of foods, or devise new processing technologies. Food scientists are employed around the world by food processing companies, food ingredient suppliers, food quality assurance and analytical labs, and federal and state governmental agencies. Career opportunities are excellent with attractive starting salaries.

There are plenty of jobs available in Idaho and throughout the world for graduates with a B.S. degree.  Idaho has a vibrant and growing food industry. Check here to see a list of some of the food companies in the state. Click here to see a list of some of the world’s largest food companies.

For the past several years we have been able to place all of our Food Science graduates. There are currently more jobs available for food scientists than graduates to fill them. This trend is expected to continue well into the 21^st century. Starting salaries for food scientists are averaging about $40,000. You can find more information about careers in food science at the website of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

• Food Scientist
• Biochemist
• Cereal Scientist
• Dairy Products Scientist
• Director of Quality Assurance
• FDA/USDA Research Scientist
• Flavor Chemist
• Food Biochemist
• Food Biotechnologist
• Food Chemist
• Food Engineer
• Food Industry Research and Development
• Food Ingredient Sales
• Food Inspector
• Food Microbiologist
• Food Product Consultant
• Food Product Developer
• Food Safety Inspector
• Food Technologist
• Food Toxicologist
• General Manager, Research
• Laboratory Director
• Manager, Analytical Lab
• Manager, Meat Applications
• Market Researcher
• Meat Scientist
• Natural Products Researcher
• New Technologies
• Packaging Specialist
• Plant Manager
• Plant Supervisor
• Product Development
• Project Leader, Technology
• Project/Product Manager
• Public Health Official
• Quality Assurance Director
• Quality Assurance Manager
• Quality Assurance Supervisor
• Research and Development
• Research Scientist
• Quality Assurance Officer
• Sales Manager
• Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
• Scientific Researcher
• Senior Food Scientist
• Sensory Evaluation Expert
• Sensory Scientist
• Technology Development Manager
• Technical Sales Representative

Links to Some of the Largest Food Companies

• Anheuser-Busch Co., Inc.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Cadbury Schweppes plc
• Campbell Soup Co.
• Cargill Inc.
• Coca-Cola Co.
• ConAgra, Inc.
• Dole Foods Co.
• General Mills Inc.
• Dannon
• Hershey Foods
• H.J. Heinz
• Hormel Foods Corp.
• IBP, Inc.
• Kellogg Co.
• Kraft Foods Inc.
• Mars Inc.
• Nabisco, Inc.
• Nestle S.A.
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• Proctor & Gamble
• Quaker Oats Co.
• Sara Lee Corp.
• Seagram Co.
• Tyson Foods Inc.
• Unilever plc

Links to Some Food Companies in Idaho

• Albertsons
• Basic American Foods
• Clear Springs Foods
• ConAgra Fresh Meat Div.
• General Mills, Inc.
• Glanbia Foods, Inc.
• H.J. Heinz
• J.R. Simplot Co.
• Jerome Cheese Co.
• Kraft, Inc.
• Lamb-Weston, Inc.
• Litehouse Foods, Inc.
• Nonpariel Corp.
• NorSun Food Group, Inc.
• Sorrento Cheese
• West Farm Foods