A Beginners Guide to Food Microbiology and Food Safety

Nowadays, food microbiology and food safety have become very important in our lives. Food microbiology is the research of microorganisms that inhabit, grow, or contaminate food, such as the study of microorganisms that can cause food spoilage. Food safety is also a central priority in food microbiology. Harvested foods decompose from the moment they are harvested due to attacks by microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, fungi, and yeast. As far as we are concerned about the dimensions of food technology, we need professionals in this field. There are a plethora of food microbiology and food safety courses you can pursue to make a career in diverse fields, including restaurants, catering establishments, hospitals, food processing companies, and more. Read more to learn about Microbiology Certification Courses!

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Importance of Food Microbiology and Food Safety

Food technology is the field of science concerned with the strategies involved with the production, processing, storage, packaging, labeling, quality control, and supply of food products. It also includes methods and processes used to turn raw materials into food. Extensive research goes on to render food products both edible and nutritious. Food microbiology students use a broad range of new technology in the fields of immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology. Microbes such as yeasts, molds, and bacteria are used to grow food and food products. Beneficial bacteria are used in the fermentation, processing, and storage of many foods and beverages. Spoilage microorganisms cost food farmers, manufacturers, and customers millions of dollars a year in lost goods. Loss of production due to illness caused by foodborne microorganisms is a significant economic burden worldwide. The study of food safety microbiology involves understanding not only the factors affecting the growth of microorganisms in food systems but also the means to regulate them.

Students interested in food microbiology are expected to receive training in microbiology, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology. To help them with this, we have curated a comprehensive food microbiology and food safety guide to advance their career in this field. Let's have a look at some of the best food safety and food microbiology courses online that you can pursue to take your career to new heights.

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Top Food Microbiology and Food Safety Courses to Pursue Right Now

1. Bachelor of Science (B.sc Food Sciences)

B.Sc. Food Sciences is a 3-year undergraduate degree course separated into six semesters. Food Sciences is a study of the essence of the food and the modifications that arise naturally and its handling and processing. During this one of the food microbiology and food safety courses, you will study all aspects of food, from cultivating or slaughtering to consumption through cooking. This is a career-oriented course offered by a variety of colleges/universities throughout the country.

Requirements: 10+12 or equivalent

Course Duration: 3 Years

2. M.Sc in Food Microbiology and Food Science

M.Sc. Food Science is a two-year postgraduate degree course designed to provide a basic understanding of food processing, packaging, and hygiene. During this one of the food microbiology courses, you will study the perception of a nutrient constituent in various types of food. M.Sc. in microbiology and food science will help you learn the fundamentals of food microbiology and the genetic makeup of plants and crops and identify potential sources of nutrition for the human body. It is an advanced course to be taken in the agriculture sector, the food processing industry, and the food packaging firms. The course will also let you explore the latest technology and science to improvise on the use, packaging, protection, and hygiene of food products. One can find different food microbiology project topics for MSC students while learning M.Sc in Food Microbiology and Food Science.

Requirements: B.Sc. or equivalent with a minimum of 50%

Course Duration: 2 Years

3. Diploma in Food Science and Quality Control

A diploma course in food science and quality management is a study of all facets of food safety. Food science incorporates concepts from fields such as microbiology, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. Subjects typically studied under this degree programme are Nutrition and Food Commodities, Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Health & Hygiene, Preparation & Packaging Materials, Food Analysis Adulteration & Testing, Food Toxicology, etc. This is one of the career-oriented food microbiology and food safety online courses that will open up several opportunities in various fields.

Requirements: 10th/ 12th/ Graduation

Course Duration: 1 Year

4. PhD (Food Science and Technology)

There are numerous colleges in India offering Ph.D. courses in Food Science and Technology in both the online and offline modes. Some of the colleges include the Central University of Punjab, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, and Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. In this one of the food microbiology and food safety courses, you will be taught advanced-level knowledge so you can build a better career as a food safety officer.

Requirements: Master’s in Food Science or equivalent

Course Duration: 3 Years

5. HACCP - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Certification

This is one of the food microbiology and food safety online courses available on Udemy. Any activity that serves or sells food needs to have a food safety system in place that is explicitly designed to ensure that the food served is safe to consume. This particular food safety framework is called the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). This food microbiology and food safety certification course contains 3 sections of 29 lectures covering the basics of food safety and GMP, HACCP plan development tasks, and principles.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of microbiology and chemistry

Course Duration: 2 Hours

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Conclusion

By enrolling in these food microbiology and food safety courses, you will learn and understand all aspects of food microbiology and food safety. These courses will also teach you the principles of food sciences. Food safety is a major focus of food microbiology. There are tons of diseases and pathogens that are readily transmitted via food which includes bacteria and viruses. We hope that after reading this article on food microbiology and food safety courses you can now select how exactly you can make a career in food safety and food microbiology.