What skills does a food technician need?

A food technician needs 32 essential skills including circular economy, food waste monitoring systems, food ethics, energy efficiency, molecular gastronomy. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace food technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for food technician is 48/100 (moderate risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Engineering ServicesScience and engineering associate professionalsISCO 3119

food technician

Food technicians assist food technologists in the deveolpment of processes for manufacturing foodstuffs and related products based on chemical, physical, and biological principles. They perform research and experiments on ingredients, additives and packaging. Food technicians also check product quality to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (32)

circular economycircular economyThe circular economy aims to keep materials and products in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them while in use and recycling them at the end of their life cycle. It impro...food waste monitoring systemsfood waste monitoring systemsThe characteristics, benefits and ways of using digital tools to collect, monitor and evaluate data on food waste in an organisation or hospitality establishment.food ethicsfood ethicsSet of ethical values and principles that guide the production, distribution, and consumption of food. It embraces a broad range of matters, including food safety, environmental sustainability, cultur...energy efficiencyenergy efficiencyField of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the dem...molecular gastronomymolecular gastronomyThe analysis of scientific research applied to food preparation, which focuses among others on how the interaction between ingredients can modify the structure and appearance of food, for example by c...food product ingredientsfood product ingredientsTechnical features of the formulation of ingredients for food products.pathogenic microorganisms in foodpathogenic microorganisms in foodThe identification and characteristics of pathogenic micro-organisms in food and the adequate prevention methods to inhibit its reproduction in food materials.quality assurance methodologiesquality assurance methodologiesQuality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.functional properties of foodsfunctional properties of foodsStructure, quality, nutritional value and/or acceptability of a food product. A food functional property is determined by physical, chemical and/or organoleptic properties of a food. Examples of a fun...food and beverage industryfood and beverage industryThe respective industry and the processes involved in the food and beverage industry, such as raw material selection, processing, packaging, and storage.food preservationfood preservationDeterioration factors, controlling factors (temperature, additives, humidity, pH, water activity, etc., including packaging) and food processing methods to preserve food products.processes of foods and beverages manufacturingprocesses of foods and beverages manufacturingRaw materials and production processes for getting finished food products. Importance of quality control and other techniques for the food and beverage industry.monitor ingredient storagemonitor ingredient storageMonitor ingredient storage and expiry dates via weekly reporting leading to good stock rotation and reduction of waste.set up equipment for food productionset up equipment for food productionSet up machinery and equipment for food production. Make sure that controls, settings, and input requirements are according to the required standards.handle delivery of raw materialshandle delivery of raw materialsReceive raw materials from the suppliers. Check their quality and accuracy and move them into the warehouse. Make sure that raw materials are adequately stored until they are required by the productio...manage packaging materialmanage packaging materialManaging all packaging materials be they primary (wrapping, cans, bottles) or secondary (cartons, crates, pallets).ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.clean food and beverage machineryclean food and beverage machineryClean machinery used for food or beverage production processes. Prepare the appropriate solutions for cleaning. Prepare all parts and assure that they are clean enough to avoid deviation or errors in ...apply HACCPapply HACCPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).promote ethical eatingpromote ethical eatingCampaign for and promote ethical considerations in food choices and nutritional behaviours of consumers, related among others to the protection of the environment, food shortages and scarcity of resou...analyse samples of food and beveragesanalyse samples of food and beveragesExamine if food or beverages are safe for human consumption. Verify the right levels of key ingredients and the correctness of the label declarations and the levels of nutrients present. Ensure sample...manage all process engineering activitiesmanage all process engineering activitiesManaging all process engineering activities in the plant keeping track of plant maintenance, improvement and requirements for effective production.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...monitor the production linemonitor the production lineMonitor the production line for problems such as pile-ups and jams.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...schedule regular machine maintenanceschedule regular machine maintenanceSchedule and perform regular maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of all equipment. Order necessary machine parts and upgrade equipment when necessary to ensure optimal performance.apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesapply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beveragesApply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.apply GMPapply GMPApply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).prepare visual dataprepare visual dataPrepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.carry out checks of production plant equipmentcarry out checks of production plant equipmentCarry out checks of the machinery and equipment used in the production plant. Ensure that the machinery is working properly, set machines before usage, and assure continuous operability of the equipme...identify the factors causing changes in food during storageidentify the factors causing changes in food during storageRecognize the most relevant factors (chemical, physical, environmental etc) that can alter the food during its storage.monitor freezing processesmonitor freezing processesMonitoring freezing processes to ensure product is adequately frozen. Assessing temperature levels and ensuring energy efficiency and product refrigeration.

Optional (45)

food canning production linefood canning production lineSteps in the canning process line from washing, conditioning and weighing food products, washing and preparing cans, filling cans, as well as other operations in order to obtain the end product.food materialsfood materialsQuality and range of raw materials, half finished products and end products of a specific food sector.food safety principlesfood safety principlesScientific background of food safety which includes preparation, handling, and storage of food to minimise the risk of foodborne illness and other health hazards.waste managementwaste managementThe methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal. It excludes procedures related to waste inciner...food legislationfood legislationLegislation related to the food and feed industry including food manufacturing, hygiene, safety, raw materials, additives, GMOs, labelling, environmental and trade regulations.fermentation processes of foodfermentation processes of foodConversion of carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process happens using bacteria or yeasts, or a combination of the two under anaerobic conditions. Food fermentation is also involved i...combination of flavourscombination of flavoursThe large range of combinations of flavours to develop new recipes or products.combination of texturescombination of texturesThe combination of textures for new recipes or products.cleaning of reusable packagingcleaning of reusable packagingMethods of cleaning and disinfecting reusable packaging to prevent or remove deposits of organic or inorganic nature of the packaging.fermentation processes of beveragesfermentation processes of beveragesFermentation processes related to the conversion of sugar to alcohol, gases and acids.laboratory-based scienceslaboratory-based sciencesLaboratory based sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science or advanced laboratory science.develop new food productsdevelop new food productsConduct experiments, produce sample products, and perform research as part of new food product development (NPD).operate automated process controloperate automated process controlOperate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.adjust production scheduleadjust production scheduleAdjust work schedule in order to maintain permanent shift operation.manage corrective actionsmanage corrective actionsImplementing corrective action and continuous improvement plans from internal and third party audits to meet food safety and quality performance indicators with adherance to agreed timescales.keep inventory of goods in productionkeep inventory of goods in productionKeep inventory of goods whether they are goods in the front end (i.e. raw materials), intermediate, or back end (i.e. finished products). Count goods and store them for the following production and di...analyse packaging requirementsanalyse packaging requirementsAnalyses packaging requirement against the design of the production plan. Perform the analysis considering engineering, economic, ergonomic, and other perspectives.assess the life cycle of resourcesassess the life cycle of resourcesEvaluate the use and possible recycling of raw materials in the whole product life cycle. Consider applicable regulations, such as the European Commission's Circular Economy Policy Package.check quality of products on the production linecheck quality of products on the production lineCheck products for quality on the production line and remove defective items before and after packaging.administer ingredients in food productionadminister ingredients in food productionIngredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.ensure finished product meet requirementsensure finished product meet requirementsEnsure that finished products meet or exceed company specifications.be at ease in unsafe environmentsbe at ease in unsafe environmentsBe at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.monitor coating specificationsmonitor coating specificationsMonitoring that specifications such as colour, shape, glaze, texture, weight, depth of coating are met.monitor processing conditionsmonitor processing conditionsObserve gauges, video monitors, and printouts to assess if specified processing conditions are in place. Make the necessary adjustments to process variables such as times, inputs, flow rates and tempe...assist in the development of standard operating procedures in the food chainassist in the development of standard operating procedures in the food chainAssist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the food chain by working with line operators. Understand current operating procedures and identify best techniques. Help document n...calibrate laboratory equipmentcalibrate laboratory equipmentCalibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment....plan shifts of employeesplan shifts of employeesPlans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.evaluate ingredient documentation from suppliersevaluate ingredient documentation from suppliersRead, organise and evaluate documentation on ingredients from suppliers and co-manufacturers. Identify deficiencies and enquire for clarifications and corrective actions as per regulatory demands.monitor developments used for food industrymonitor developments used for food industryIdentifying and exploring developments and innovation in technology and materials in the food industry.follow hygienic procedures during food processingfollow hygienic procedures during food processingEnsure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.check quality of raw materialscheck quality of raw materialsCheck the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.manage resources in food manufacturingmanage resources in food manufacturingManaging resources to ensure sufficient and appropriate trained staff to ensure consistent performance.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.apply food technology principlesapply food technology principlesApply food science methods and technology for the processing, preservation and packaging of food, taking into account safety standards and quality control procedures.investigate customer complaints of food productsinvestigate customer complaints of food productsInvestigate customer complaints in order to determine the non-satisfactory elements in food products that lead to complaints from customers.mitigate waste of resourcesmitigate waste of resourcesEvaluate and identify opportunities to use resources more efficiently with continuously striving to reduce waste of utilities.use resource-efficient technologies in hospitalityuse resource-efficient technologies in hospitalityImplement technological improvements in hospitality establishments, as connectionless food steamers, pre-rinse spray valves and low flow sink taps, which optimise the water and energy consumption in d...perform quality auditsperform quality auditsExecute regular, systematic and documented examinations of a quality system for verifying conformity with a standard based on objective evidence such as the implementation of processes, effectiveness ...select adequate packaging for food productsselect adequate packaging for food productsChoose the appropriate packages for food products taking into account attractiveness and suitability of the package. Use proper packaging for sending it safely and at a reasonable cost. Have awareness...apply control process statistical methodsapply control process statistical methodsApply statistical methods from Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) in order to control manufacturing processes.perform food risk analysisperform food risk analysisPerform food risks analysis for food safety assurance.analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food productionensure compliance with environmental legislation in food productionMake sure to comply with environmental legislation in food production. Understand the legislation related to environmental matters in food manufacturing and apply it in practice.ensure full functioning of food plant machineryensure full functioning of food plant machineryEnsure and maintain manufacturing process equipment and ensure such machinery operates in a clean, organised environment in compliance with food safety requirements.analyse work-related written reportsanalyse work-related written reportsRead and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.