Career As Food Safety Officer In India
Food Safety Officers (FSOs) are responsible for analyzing food samples gathered from different places for examination. These professionals examine if there is any suspicious or hazardous material in the ingredients or the food product ensuring the safety of consumers. Depending on the inspection result, these experts can issue a notice to the seller, distributor, or manufacturer of the product for the consumption of harmful ingredients or food products.
Other duties of an FSO include random inspection at the food industry, restaurants, and hotels for assuring that all the guidelines and safety regulations are followed during the product preparation and for checking their food items.
Food safety officers are hired at Group B Level Administrative positions by the central or state government in India. Generally, the SPSC (State Public Service Commission) of each state conducts the SCS (State Civil Service) examination for hiring qualified food safety officers. Openings for this position are announced annually by the SPSCs.
Notifications regarding the SCS examinations and the vacancies for the post of FSOs will be announced on media, newspapers, and websites for various states. So, applicants need to frequently check on the relevant sites for any updates
.Eligibility Criteria For A Food Safety Officer In India
The minimum requirements for an individual to secure a job as an FSO are given below:
- Age limit: For writing the SCS examination, applicants should be within the age group of 18-50. The upper age limit is relaxable for candidates falling under the reserved category such as Ex-Servicemen, PwD, OBC, ST, or SC as per the government guidelines.
- Academic qualification: Applicants need to have at least a Bachelor’s (B.Tech/B.Sc.) or Master’s (M.Tech/M.Sc.) in a relevant subject like biochemistry/agricultural science/biotechnology/dairy technology/food technology from an accredited university or institute.
- Specialization: Applicants who aspire to work as a scientist should have a doctoral degree in a relevant field.
- Certification: Candidates might even need to complete an FDA authorized program and get certified to show that they have the pertinent expertise and skills for this role.
- Internship: Candidates should have some work experience in the associated field. It is best for freshers to get some experience with internships in the related field.
Skills Needed For A Food Safety Officer
FSOs must be well trained in what they perform as even a slight error from their side can affect many people. Therefore, candidates seeking a job as FSO can improve their skills by familiarizing themselves with the food safety rules & regulations in India. Here are some of the key skills needed for a candidate to become a food safety officer in India.
- Attention to detail is a crucial skill as monitoring of operational methods and investigation has to be free of error and has to comply with all the regulations.
- Good communication skills will help in clearly informing staff members and producing good reports on their recommendations & findings.
- The ability to work independently and manage time efficiently is imperative for an FSO.
- Analytical expertise is important for both training and job.
- Strong organizational skills are essential for assigning tasks & prioritizing duties whenever required.
See More: Food Safety Officer FSSAI Exam + Food Corporation of India Job Preparation Course
Check Out The Latest Job Openings In Food Science
Food Safety Officer Exam In India
In India, a Food Safety Officer is recruited by the State Government through the State Civil Services (SCS) examination.
Candidates are selected for the FSO position based on their performance in the personal interview (personality assessment), the main written test (conventional type), the preliminary written examination (multiple choice & objective type), and academic records. Questions in the main written test will be from optional subjects such as Zoology, Statistics, Mathematics, Geology, Environmental Science, Computer Application Science, Botany, Veterinary Science, Physics, Horticulture, Forestry, Engineering, Chemistry, Agriculture, and so on.
The preliminary exam is easier to pass than the main written test. The prelim paper would be in objective format, with MCQs. The main written test, on the other hand, would be of the conventional type. After passing the prelims and mains exam, all qualified candidates will be invited to the Interview.
Educational qualification to apply for the FSO exam
To take the SCS examination, a candidate must have a Graduate Degree or a Master’s Degree. Candidates from various graduation or postgraduate fields specializing in Chemistry, Biotech, or Home Science are eligible to take the SCS exams.
FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a self-governing statutory body that ensures food safety and standards in India. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is in charge of FSSAI. FSSAI was established to ascertain science-based standards for food articles and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import in order to ensure the availability of safe and healthy food for humans.
FSSAI’s Roles and Responsibilities
- Establishing Policies and Guidelines
- Providing a License
- Check the Food Standard
- Audits on a regular basis
- Raising Awareness About Food Safety
- Maintain Records and Data
- Keeping the Government Updated
FSSAI Exam
FSSAI invites Direct Recruitment applications from enthusiastic and motivated candidates seeking exhilarating career options in the Food Regulatory System.
The exam would be divided into two sections (Part A and Part B), with 120 Objective MCQ-type questions to be answered in 180 minutes. Part A carries a weightage of 40 marks for General Aptitude and Computer Literacy, and Part B carries an 80 marks weightage for Functional Knowledge.
See More: Food Safety Officer FSSAI Exam + Food Corporation of India Job Preparation Course
FSSAI Food Analyst Exam 2022 Notification – 8th FAE & 5th JAE 2022 Eligibility, Application
Educational requirements for the Central FSO exam
A recognized university degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Oil Technology, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Sciences, Bio-Chemistry, Microbiology or any other equivalent or recognized qualification notified by the Central Government is required.
Career Path For Food Safety Officers In India
In order to become an FSO, one has to follow a strict plan during their studies. Here is a stage-wise preparation plan for candidates aiming for a career as a food safety officer in India.
For school
- It is best if candidates choose a science stream, particularly Economics, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology for higher secondary education.
- Candidates need to clear specific entrance examinations to get admission to a recognized university for bachelors in food science or related discipline.
- Advance preparation for these entrance examinations is one of the crucial steps that have to be properly carried out to become a successful food safety officer. Therefore, students must begin the preparation during the schooling itself.
- Aspirants can prepare well for these entrance exams by joining any good coaching center.
- Besides that, candidates can even practice previous years’ question papers to get a clear idea about the pattern of the exam and the type of questions asked each year.
For bachelors
- The subsequent step is to choose the appropriate college or university.
- Once candidates are eligible for college entrance examinations, they need to choose from a list of institutes that suits their area of interest.
- Candidates after their 12th need to concentrate on getting good admission for their Bachelors by scoring well in the entrance examinations.
- Students can choose either B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) or B.Tech. (Bachelor in Technology) courses. They can even get enrolled in undergraduate programs like B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) in food technology or B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)in food science.
- Along with their studies, undergraduate students must also concentrate on developing a strong foundation in different subjects of the enrolled course.
- Candidates must attempt to maintain a minimum of 55-60% marks for their final examination
- Aspirants seeking for Master’s admission must begin preparing for JAM or GATE examinations.
For masters
- By acing entrance examinations like GATE, students can easily get admission for masters.
- Candidates must work hard and prepare well for the GATE examination as it is only conducted annually and only about 15-20% of candidates clear the exam
- Additionally, students can improve their profile and increase the chance of getting a rewarding job by completing internships in relevant fields or taking up any professional certification course.
Various Food Safety Officer Roles In India
An FSO is recruited for various kinds of job roles. A few of the roles are discussed below.
- Food & drug administrator: Professionals hired for this post have to minimize the hazardous effects of regulated tobacco products and safeguard the health of the people by assuring the quality of the food products.
- Food technologist: An FSO recruited as a food technologist assures that good hygiene practices are followed for the packaging and food products. These experts examine the usage of preservatives and additives in food products and even monitor & assess food samples. Depending on the results of experiments & testing, they write reports.
- Food scientists: These adepts monitor food products to learn about the deterioration & processing of the particular food product. They examine food samples to look for any harmful materials or chemicals employed in the food preparation. They even find the best method to preserve and package food items.
- Health inspector: As a health inspector, an FSO needs to visit bakeries, food manufacturing industries, hotels, restaurants, and so on to test the quality of the material employed and the hygiene of the food. They even check the hygiene of the utensils used, kitchen area, workers, and so on. These professionals can levy fines to the owner of the restaurants, hotels, or food manufacturers if any ill-practice is found at their place.
Check Out The Latest Job Openings In Food Technology
Vocational Sectors For Food Safety Officers In India
FSOs are recruited by various divisions in both the private and public sectors. The vocational areas for these professionals include:
- Food manufacturing sector
- Pharma industry
- Agriculture sector
- State government
- Central government
Leading Recruiting Firms & Organizations For Food Safety Officers In India
- Department of Food Safety & Health, Government of India
- SPSC (State Public Service Commission)
- FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India)
Pay Scale Of Food Safety Officers In India
Emoluments of an FSO in India might differ based on the job responsibilities and roles. The salaries of a few job roles of an FSO are given below.
| Job Role | Initial Level Salary (INR) | Mid Level Salary (INR) | Highest Salary (INR) |
| Food & drug administrator | 3 Lakhs | 4 Lakhs | 5 Lakhs |
| Food technologist | 3 Lakhs | 4.5 Lakhs | 7 Lakhs |
| Food scientist | 4 Lakhs | 7.5 Lakhs | 20 Lakhs |
| Health inspector | 2.4 Lakhs | 3 Lakhs | 6 Lakhs |
Reference Materials Required To Become Food Safety Officer In India
Here are a few relevant books that students can refer to during their studies to successfully become an FSO.
| Author | Title Of The Book | Site |
| McGraw Hill | Objective English For Competitive Examinations |  |
| Dr. Chandresh Agrawal | FSSAI-Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Technical Officer-Central Food Safety Officer Exam |  |
| P.M. Kotecha & U.D. Chavan | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) In Food Technology |  |
| Khadya Suraksha Aadhikari | Food Safety Officer With Free Objective |  |
| William C Frazier, Dennis C Westoff, N M Vanitha | Food Microbiology |  |
| Avantina Sharma | Textbook Of Food Science & Technology |  |
| Mrs. Durvesh Kumari, Dr. S.K. Goyal, Er. Suresh Chandra | A Competition Book For Food Safety Officer |  |
Food Safety Courses Offered In India
There are different programs one can take up in order to succeed in becoming an FSO in India. The most pursued program is B.Tech. Food Technology. There are many other options for students like B.Sc. Food Science, B.E. Food Technology, B.Tech. Food Science, and so on. Students from different backgrounds can pursue these courses. Some of the programs are given in the table below.
| Program | Duration | Admission Process | Eligibility Criteria | Average Fees (INR) | Initial Salary (INR) |
| B.Tech. Food Technology/Food Science | 4 years | Based on entrance exam (KCET, AP-EAMCET, TS-EAMCET, AMITY JEE, UPESEAT, WBJEE, JEE Main, etc.) | Cleared 12th in pertinent subject from a recognized board | 60,000 to 7,00,000 | 2 to 6 LPA |
| B.E. Food Technology | 4 years | Based on entrance exam (BITSAT, MET, JEE Main, etc.) | Cleared 12th in pertinent subject from a recognized board | 2,00,00 to 5,00,000 | 3 to 7 LPA |
| B.Sc. Food Technology/Food Science | 3 years | Based on merit or entrance exam | Cleared 12th with a minimum of 50% marks | 20,000 to 1,00,000 | 2 to 4 LPA |
| M.Sc. Food Technology | 2 years | Based on counseling or entrance exam | Cleared UG with a minimum of 50% marks | 20,000 to 4,00,000 | 3 to 7 LPA |
| M.Tech. Food & Nutrition | 2 years | Based on entrance exam (UPSEE, TANCET, GATE, etc.) | Cleared UG in a pertinent field | 60,000 to 4,00,000 | 5 to 8 LPA |
Certification Programs For Food Safety Officers In India
The best certificate programs for an FSO in India are given below:
- Certificate IV in public safety (Emergency communications center)
- Certificate IV in public safety (Community safety)
- Certificate IV in government occupational safety & health
- Certificate IV in work safety & health
Best Institutes For Pursuing A Career As Food Safety Officer In India
- Lovely Professional University
- Jamia Hamdard
- NIMS University
- Galgotias University
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
- Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- Birla Institute of Technology & Science
- Amity University
- Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
Advantages Of Career As Food Safety Officer
FSOs add value to the organization within the food industry. Here are a few pros of an FSO.
- Career flexibility: FSOs have the choice of working in multinational, large corporations, or mid-sized companies, small factories. There are even chances to use your expertise in the field of interest like marketing, business, law, urban & rural development, human rights, environmental justice, trade, sustainability, and nutrition. This career will enable you to grow and shape your professional life according to your interests.
- Unique experience: This career helps you earn a unique experience. You will be able to upskill yourself in the food industry by finding, examining, handling, and acquiring various levels of expertise in this career. This will prepare you for the subsequent step in this field.
- Dynamic environment: From examining products to suggesting changes for improving quality, FSOs work in thriving environments. Most of the officers have international duties, hence it offers chances to work in a dynamic setting.
- Make a change: FSOs influence the well-being & health of the public by avoiding contamination of food products from lethal pathogens. This career provides the opportunity to bring a worldwide effect while carrying out socially responsible & meaningful jobs.
- Job security: Worldwide food sector is now a $5 trillion industry and by the year 2050, it is anticipated that there will be an exponential increase in demand for trained food safety officers due to the expected rise in global population.
- Emoluments: The average pay for an FSO in India is ₹3 Lakhs per annum. Initial pay for an FSO is around ₹2.5 Lakhs per annum. Experienced professionals can earn more than ₹6 Lakhs annually.
Disadvantages Of Career As Food Safety Officer
- Clear entrance exam: In order to become a successful food safety officer in India, candidates need to score well for state or central-level entrance examinations like SSC.
- Experience: This position is generally given to candidates with a strong background in the relevant domain and minimum years of experience.
- Challenging: Since the job involves coordination between authorities, consumers, & organizations and taking sudden decisions, the job as a food safety officer is quite challenging.
Further Read: Food Technology Career, Job Prospects, Scope In India & Abroad
Career As Food Safety Officer
