The screen splits into two halves. On the right side, a young boy appears contemplative. On the left side, three images sequentially appear: Apple slices, Cookies on a tray, and a woman standing in front of a cabinet.
Have you ever noticed how sliced apples in little packages don’t turn brown? Have you ever dreamed of creating a new food, not just a new recipe? Do you have a desire to combat food insecurity in your local area or globally?
Various processed foods are displayed on a table.
If so, the food products and processing systems career pathway might be a good fit for you!
The image presents a farmland backdrop with a "Career Pathways" wheel at its center. Options listed include: "Agribusiness Systems," "Animal Systems," "Biotechnology Systems," "Environmental Service Systems," "Food Products and Processing," "Natural Resources System," "Plant Systems," and "Power, Structural and Technical Systems." "Food Products and Processing" is highlighted on the choice wheel. Corn kernels are coming out of a machine.
This pathway involves the application of science to the processing, storage, and development of food products. Within this pathway, you can explore the science behind preserving food to ensure freshness, nutrition, and quality, or you can learn how to create foods for our ever-growing population.
Two women are observed working in a food processing plant.
For instance, for your SAE you could interview people who work at a food processing plant, learning more about how and why we process food.
A woman is seen working in a food production factory.
Or you could work in a deli or bakery, developing and creating food products from scratch.
A sequence of images shows food scientists conducting experiments in a laboratory.
One possible career area to explore in this pathway is a food scientist. Food scientists are concerned with food nutrition, preservation, and safety.
Someone picks up cooked food with tongs from a prep bin. A middle-aged man and woman read a food label affixed to a glass bottle.
Along these lines, you could research incidents of food-borne illness in your school or the community, test ideas for new food products, or study the impact of labels on people’s perception of food.
A chart displays the nutritional value of the food.
Food labeling is one of the most important parts of the food industry. Consumers must have access to nutrition information, but other information on the label may be equally informative and influence buying decisions.
A series of images depict individuals evaluating food in food processing industries.
Another possible career is the evaluation of food products and processing systems. This includes policy and regulatory issues, scientific applications to food, and food product development.
Smiling nutritionists are seen sitting with their clients in a series of images.
Other food-based career options include becoming a Nutritionist who assists their clients with food selection and diet modification to achieve desired outcomes or becoming a USDA meat inspector.
A sequence of images shows USDA food inspectors inspecting meat products.
Did you know that all pork, beef, and poultry in the USA must be inspected by the USDA at several stages of the processing system to ensure quality and safety?
A chef sprinkles ingredients into food.
Many food products and processing careers require education beyond high school, such as attending a community college or a four-year institution.
Two food scientists sit across a table in a laboratory, experimenting with vegetables placed on the table.
For some jobs within this pathway, such as food scientist, you may also have to go beyond a four-year degree, depending on the position.
A series of images depict people working in a food processing firm.
If the source of and creativity involved in making and preserving food intrigues you, then you would be wise to consider a career in food science, products, and processing.