Food analyst

About this career

Food analysts perform standardised tests to determine the chemical, physical, or microbiological features of products for human consumption.

Essential skills

analyse characteristics of food products at reception analyse samples of food and beverages apply GMP apply HACCP apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages assess quality characteristics of food products attend to detail regarding food and beverages blend food ingredients calibrate laboratory equipment collect samples for analysis conduct food tests ensure public safety and security follow hygienic procedures during food processing follow laboratory manuals identify nutritional properties of food identify the factors causing changes in food during storage interpret data in food manufacturing keep food laboratory inventory keep up-to-date with regulations maintain laboratory equipment measure pH perform physico-chemical analysis to food materials prepare visual data preserve samples pursue excellence in the creation of food products report test findings set quality assurance objectives

Required knowledge

food safety principles food safety standards food science food toxicity infections in food ingredient threats laboratory-based sciences pathogenic microorganisms in food quality assurance methodologies

Additional skills

analyse packaging requirements analyse trends in the food and beverage industries analyse work-related written reports apply scientific methods assess environmental parameters at the workplace for food products assess shelf life of food products check bottles for packaging check quality of products on the production line conduct research on food waste prevention design indicators for food waste reduction detect microorganisms develop food waste reduction strategies develop new food products develop standard operating procedures in the food chain follow evaluation procedures of materials at reception follow-up lab results investigate customer complaints of food products label samples mitigate waste of resources monitor developments used for food industry participate in the development of new food products perform food risk analysis perform food safety checks perform microbiological analysis in food perform sensory evaluation of food products preserve milk samples write work-related reports fermentation processes of food food fraud food homogenisation food legislation food products composition molecular gastronomy risks associated to physical, chemical, biological hazards in food and beverages statistics

Also known as

food analysis expert food researcher food analysis specialist food research specialist