Degree in Food Science: What is It?


Tuesday, 09 August 2022

We know there exist thousands of sciences in the world. Within the category of food, we can find food science. Do you know what food science is? Do you know the difference between food science and food technology? Keep on reading this article to find out more about these terms. 



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We can all agree that science is everywhere. No matter what topic we are talking about, we know science is present. The Science Council has provided an accurate definition of the word science:

“Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence.”

According to them, that systematic methodology includes several important points, such as 

🧪​Objective observation

🧪​Evidence

🧪​Experimentation of hypothesis

🧪​Induction

🧪​Repetition

🧪​Critical Analysis

🧪​Verification and testing

When we talk about science, we talk about a body of knowledge that takes part in our lives and also a process that allows us to put that knowledge into a coherent and cohesive relationship with the natural world. Science allows us to understand facts about life that we have not taken into account before. 

The term “science” is broad, there exist thousands and thousands of subclassifications within this discipline. One of these subclassifications is food science. But, what is food science? In this article, we will explore the definition of food science, the differences between food science and food technology, what can a food scientist do, and where to study for a degree in food science. 

🍛​🧪  What is Food Science? 🍛​🧪 

Food science is the applied science of food. This multidisciplinary field involves more than one scientific discipline and merges concepts from different fields such as chemistry, physics, physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering. The main aim of food science is to provide people with the knowledge to solve problems associated with food. 

Some of the basis of this discipline are understanding the chemistry of food components and their reactions under processing and storage. The idea of food science is that the products that are harvested can become products acceptable for human consumption. Food scientists are capable of converting the raw materials into the safe food that we find on the market.

🍛​🧪  Difference between Food Science and Food Technology 🍛​🧪 

All of us are aware that technology is not the same as science. Technology is the practical usage of science. In this context, technology would be the application of practical knowledge to the theoretical knowledge of science. Food technology is in charge of applying technology to the harvested products in order to make them safe. 

So, in conclusion, food science would deal with the characteristics of each component of food, the causes of deterioration of food, and the concepts that lie under the process of food, whereas food technology deals with the application of food science to the preservation, process, selection, and distribution of safe food. 

What can a Food Scientist Do? 🍛​🧪 

As a food scientist, you will be able to perform different tasks according to your likes and dislikes. Here are some of the jobs a food scientist can perform: 


Food Scientist
As mentioned before, being a food scientist will allow you to check that all the food has been produced, developed, and distributed in a safe way. 
Nutritional Therapist 
As a nutritional scientist, you will work individually with patients, creating a daily diet based on the needs of the patient. 
Quality Manager
As a quality assurance manager, you will be able to check that all food meets the correct standards and regulations. 
Chef 
For those people who love to cook, getting a degree in food science might be helpful. 
Food and Restaurant Inspector 
As a food and restaurant inspector, you will be able to inspect the food products in different facilities that make them to the general public. 
Flavour Chemist
A flavour chemist is a person who is in charge of studying the chemical makeup of foods in order to improve their flavour. 
Animal Nutritionist 
Animal nutritionists work in zoos or veterinary hospitals and are in charge of animals' diets and the specific food each animal eats. 
Toxicologist
A toxicologist is in charge of investigating the impact of chemicals on humans, the environment, and animals. 


📚 Why Study Food Science? 📚

By getting a degree in food science, you will be able to learn different aspects of food and how they relate to each other in a safe or unsafe way. Besides, you will be able to learn about the components of each food, how food is produced, how it is shared, and how it is processed. If you find this career interesting, then you should get a degree in food science. Herein we show you where you can study to get a degree. 

📚 Where can I Get a Degree? 📚


In South Africa, there is a place in which you can earn a degree in Food Science: 


All in all, the definition of science is pretty general, but we can all agree that science takes a huge part in our lives. At the same time, science is subclassified into thousands of different fields, among them, food science. There is a small difference between food science and food technology, but they are quite similar. By getting a degree in food science, you will have several job opportunities in different fields such as toxicology, chef, flavour chemistry, and food science, among others. If you are interested in any of these fields, then you should get a degree in food science. 


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