Food Safety Technician Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Food Safety Technician

Best Schools to become a Food Safety Technician in U.S. 2024

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

In-State Tuition:$14,542
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,122
Admission Rate:45%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:56,916

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

In-State Tuition:$16,437
Out-of-State Tuition:$42,427
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:82%
Total Enrollment:50,023

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

In-State Tuition:$62,456
Out-of-State Tuition:$62,456
Admission Rate:7%
Graduation Rate:95%
Total Enrollment:25,898

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

In-State Tuition:$9,489
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,560
Admission Rate:95%
Graduation Rate:69%
Total Enrollment:19,722

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

In-State Tuition:$14,118
Out-of-State Tuition:$38,062
Admission Rate:43%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:28,466

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:37%
Graduation Rate:86%
Total Enrollment:39,679
Food Safety Technician Job 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.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Food Safety Technician

Job Duties for Food Safety Technicians

  • Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.

  • Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.

  • Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.

Technologies and Skills Used by Food Safety Technicians

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft SQL Server

Electronic mail software

  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Food Safety Technician

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Food Safety Technician

FAQs About Becoming a Food Safety Technician