Description
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
- • Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
- • Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
- • Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
- • Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- • Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- • Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- • Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
- • Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.
- • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- • Order supplies needed to maintain inventories in laboratories or in storage facilities of food or beverage processing plants.
- • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- • Monitor and control temperature of products.
- • Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- • Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
- • Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures.
- • Supervise other food science technicians.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Agriculture
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
