Food Engineering

Food Engineering is concerned with the formulation, production, processing, packaging, testing, as well as the marketing of food; The course is often known as food technologies. Candidates are required to pass the entrance exam and score the cutoff marks to get admission into the food engineering colleges. Admissions in this course are done either on the basis of merit or through entrance tests. Some of the common entrance exams like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and GATE are accepted to choose students for food engineering.

A food engineer works in agricultural, food processing, or food production industries and earns a lucrative salary.  The job options include food engineer, nutrition specialist, Process engineer, and Bioprocess engineer. Plant engineer, Product development engineer, Research and development engineer, etc. The food engineering course can be done in online and offline mode. The average course duration is 3 to 4 years.

Some of the popular food engineering colleges in India are IIT Kharagpur, Aligarh Muslim University, Dr DY Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, Tezpur University, etc. The course fee is around Rs 1,00,000 per annum to Rs 8,00,000 per annum for a bachelor’s degree and Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 4,00,000 per annum for a master’s degree. Read the full post to get details on the food engineering course. 

As a food engineer, you will be in charge of ensuring higher quality food items, including supply, safety, nutrition, and value. Go through the highlights of the food engineering course given below. 

If you have a passion for food production and want to make sure that the food served to people is the best of quality and you are a food enthusiast then this profession is for you. Processing, packing, and upgrading food items fall within the purview of a food engineer. A career in food engineering can be a good fit for you if you're excited by the idea of experimenting with food and creating new items that aren't food-related.  Start along the route of pursuing a career in this sector if you are motivated by the wide range of prospects that a degree in food engineering opens up for you and if the idea of creating, processing, and managing the product creation process excites you. 

In recent years, food engineering has emerged as one of the most promising job paths. A fulfilling career in food engineering is possible if one possesses the requisite abilities to flourish in this profession. Check the benefits of studying this course given below. 

Career Options

As the country's need for food products grows so does the demand for food engineers in both the private and public sectors. Aside from strong work security, a person can earn handsome pay while also feeling proud of making a significant contribution to the country's economy. Graduates in food engineering, which falls under the category of food science and agriculture, may opt to work in a variety of different sectors, such as consultancy, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry, to mention a few.

Opportunities in India

With India's continually expanding need for agricultural products, the sector is seeing significant expansion. The agricultural industry, which is primarily dependent on the government, is seeing increased participation from private-sector companies. Increasing amounts of money are being spent on the research and development of various technologies that have the potential to dramatically increase the productivity of agricultural land. 

Demand for packaged foods

In the twenty-first century, individuals have come to rely largely on various packaged goods suppliers. People no longer consider frozen veggies, canned fruits, microwave meal boxes, or bottled milk to be consumable and wants to live a healthy lifestyle.  Food engineers are increasingly needed as consumer awareness and the requirement for a reliable supply of food have grown. This makes food engineering a prospective profession as the company wants to sell food that is full of nutrition and is healthy.  

Quick Link: Top Agricultural and Food Engineering Colleges in India 2022

There are several courses available in this engineering domain from which you can choose. Check the types of food engineering courses given below. 

Before applying for this course in any institute, candidates must meet certain requirements in order to be qualified for a Food Engineering course. The following are the basic eligibility requirements for admission to the Food Engineering programme. The same may vary based on the institute type, hence candidates should check the official website of :

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Degree

• Candidates must have received a diploma equivalent to a 12th-grade diploma from an accredited institution or board
• The applicant must have taken Chemistry, Biology, or Bioengineering as an elective in addition to Mathematics and Physics as major courses in 12th grade
• The candidate's qualifying exam result must have been at least 60% overall (or 55% for applicants who are members of the reserved category)

Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Degree

• Completion of an undergraduate degree with a suitable discipline as the major from an accredited Indian university 
• Candidates seeking admission into a postgraduate programme in food engineering must have achieved a minimum percentile as determined by the college taking admission into consideration

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You can choose from various specializations in this course and study them at an advanced level. Many candidates pursue B.Tech food engineering degree and choose specific specializations at the master’s level. Check the food engineering specializations given below. 

• Human Nutrition & Health

• Food Processing & Preservation Technology

• Food Products Development 

• Bakery & Confectionery Technology

• Fermented Foods

• Food Production & Operations Management

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Both food engineering courses and food technology are separate branches, each has their primary goal supporting various food divisions but yet there is a difference between them. Check the difference between food engineering and food technology given below.

To take admission to this programme, candidates must take the entrance test and achieve the cutoff marks and sit for counselling (if applicable). For taking the entrance exams candidates should prepare well and fill out the application form and sit for the exam. However, several universities in India provide merit-based admission to architecture engineering programmes. To seek admission through merits, candidates must fill out the application form released by the respective university on its official website and wait for the release of the merit list.

Note- The admission process for food engineering courses varies from college to college. 

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Most universities and colleges use written entrance exams as the foundation for admitting students to their Food Technology programmes. These engineering entrance exams are conducted at the national level and state levels. Check the popular food engineering entrance exams in India given below.

• JEE Main
• JEE Advanced
• GATE

Candidates can apply for admission to one of the several engineering institutions that offer this programme. The top food engineering schools in India are listed below.

The expansion and distribution of the global food and agricultural systems are supported by this branch of engineering. Although there are regional differences in habits, this is one area where engineering and creativity result in safer and better nutrition for all of the world's species. The following are the major benefits of studying a food engineering course. 

The students benefit from being closer to the leading sectors and have better future employment opportunities because they are located in the greatest and most wealthy regions of the world. With a degree in food science, you'll have the abilities and knowledge to contribute to the creation of healthy, high-quality food.

Programs in food science are often taught through lectures and seminars, but you will also get the opportunity to gain practical knowledge through workshops and job placements. Exams, written assignments, and other methods will be used to gauge your progress.

Programs in food science are available in several nations, including the UK, the US, South Africa, Canada, and Australia. Depending on the nation, industry and regulatory criteria might vary, and many programmes will be recognized by that nation's regulatory body. After graduation, you'll be in the greatest position to find employment in the nation where you studied.

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Studying at the top institutions around the globe, a college degree not only gives a student access to top-notch facilities but also equips them with the necessary skills for future practical elements of the business. Check some of the top food engineering colleges abroad listed below. 

The fees for this course vary from college to college and depend upon various factors. If candidates study this course in a private college the fees will be relatively higher as compared to government institutes. Also, availing scholarships will lower the fees. Check the food engineering course fees given below. 

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A complete understanding of food engineering and food science principles is provided through a food engineering course curriculum. Food manufacturing, nutrition science, and food packaging are a few of the topics covered.  The food that the students prepare is nutritious and safe. Food microbiology, food processing, food biochemistry, management, food fermentation technology, food plant safety & hazard analysis, food packaging technology, bakery & confectionery technology, dairy plant engineering, computer skills, and food industry waste are all topics covered in the Food Engineering course. 

From an engineering standpoint, food engineering offers answers to issues in the food industry. It provides strategies for maximizing the use of food resources, minimizing food damage, and maintaining the food's nutritional content. Additionally, the course curriculum teaches students effective uses of science and technology.

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The undergraduate B.Tech in Food Engineering programme lasts four years and consists of eight semesters. Check the BTech food engineering syllabus given below. 

BTech Food Engineering Semester Wise Syllabus

BTech Food Engineering Semester Wise Syllabus

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A 4-year agricultural engineering B.E./B.Tech. programme is available. A residential programme that is further broken into 8 semesters is offered by major universities. The goal of each semester is to promote the study of various field-related topics. Some of the subjects that candidates study in this course are listed below and may vary from institute to institute. 

• Soil mechanics
• Water resource management
• Theory of machines
• Energy and sources
•  Environmental science
• Chemistry
• Agricultural engineering
• Land levelling 
• Agri business management
• Agricultural machinery
• Food processing and quality control
• Land surveying

The food crops, technologies, and seasonal availability are abundant in the Indian states. As a result, there is a rising need for food engineers. Universities and educational institutions have placed a strong emphasis on the output of food engineering courses and programmes in order to supply the nation with significant inputs. With the help of these inputs, fieldwork, crop selection, seasonal requirements, elements for higher yields, and other similar features will be seen from a more favorable perspective.

Opportunity to work in Government Sector

Major recruiters have histories in the government. The likelihood of the pupils working in the food industries of a certain state government is high. These candidates are hired by government agencies including the state dairy boards, research and development departments, and state food departments, among others.

Opportunity to work in the Private Sector

Comparatively to the government sector, private businesses offer several employment profiles. Many private businesses employ engineers to assist them in developing a specific product or using sustainable packaging techniques.

A food engineer has a broad range of opportunities for employment outside of pay and the recruitment process, including with NGOs, food corporations, and project units. Under these sectors, regular research is conducted that might aid a candidate in acquiring the necessary information and training.

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The salary for a food engineer is around Rs 2.5 LPA to Rs 15 LPA. But, it may vary from organization to organization and on various other factors like candidates' experience, skills, education, etc. Check the food engineering salary for various profiles given below. 

Major recruiters seek appropriate talents in prospects to determine how well a candidate would fit into job profiles. As a result, it is critical for aspiring candidates to understand the skill set demanded of candidates. The following are some of the desired abilities a candidate must have to make a successful career in the food engineering field. 

Analytical skills

It is necessary for engineers to study the prevailing state of the unit or the area and make judgments accordingly. 

Communication skills

An agriculture and food engineer must have fluent communication skills and the ability to generate smooth communication between individuals or groups.

Problem-solving abilities

To achieve the intended results, engineers on the field or in a food unit must give extraordinary problem-solving techniques and strategies.

With a degree in food engineering, you might find yourself suitable for food technology jobs like food packaging and numerous other opportunities in the processing sectors. This is because the topic permits one to engage in diverse professional aspects. To raise the standards of the food sector, you might also decide to cooperate with farmers and animal farms. Check the various food engineering career options given below. 

Due to the variety and abundance of crop varieties, there is a continual growth in demand for professionals in the Food Engineering field. Agriculture and food engineers are frequently recruited by government agencies and departments. The following are some of the most popular companies that hire agriculture and food engineers. Check the food engineering recruiter list given below. 

• Agrotech food 

• Parle 

• Perfetti India Ltd. 

• Amul 

• Britannia India Ltd. 

• ITC Limited 

• PepsiCo India 

• Hershey’s 

• Quacker 

• Parle 

• Heinz 

• Kelloggs 

• Hindustan Unilever

• Cadbury India Ltd. 

• Nestle India Pvt. Ltd.

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