FOOD PROCESSING : Expert (Book with DVD) (Workbook Included)

Food Processing: Expert covers numerous diverse practical and visual skills with knowledge of specialized materials and techniques. Food processing is a procedure in which food is prepared for consumption. People often use this term to refer specifically to making packaged foods, but technically anything which transforms raw ingredients into something else is a form of food processing, ranging from grilling vegetables in the back yard to making television dinners in a food manufacturing facility. In industrial food processing, these needs must be balanced with the need for preservation. Food which will be eaten in a few days needs to be stabilized so that it will retain texture and flavor in addition to staying safe. Other foods intended to be kept in dry storage for months or years must be specially processed so that they will not go bad. This book will introduce the knowledge and skills for those studying and/or working in food processing industry.

About this Book

The information in this book consists of basic to core competencies that a person must achieve to set up and operate production and packaging lines and systems, participate in evaluation processes, and monitor practices and procedures.

About the Food Processing Industry

Food processing is a modern practice that improves distributional efficiency and enhances the marketing of the food products. It is considered as a branch of food science, where a set of methods and techniques are used to transform raw ingredients into food for safe consumption by humans or animals. Though food processing existed even during prehistoric period, the technology input to enhance preservation of food, flavor, etc. and to reduce the toxins in the food product is relatively new and has revolutionized the entire food industry. Food processing companies and food research laboratories, Food wholesalers, Hospitals, Catering establishments, Retailers, Restaurants provide job opportunities to candidates with degrees in Home Science and specializations in food technology, nutrition or food services management. Bacteriologist, toxicologists and those trained in packaging technology, organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry can find openings in food technology laboratories or in quality control departments. Other jobs in this industry include Bakeries, Meat, Poultry, Trimmers, and Fish Cutters, Slaughterers and Meat packers, Food batch makers, Food cooking machine operators and tenders, Food and tobacco roasting, baking and drying machine operators and tenders. Self-employment opportunities also exist in the form of dynamic delivery networks for those who want to work on their own. Food technologists, technicians, biotechnologists and engineers are required in this industry for manufacturing or production, preservation and packaging, processing and canning of various food products. All this needs preparation of raw materials for processing which involves selection, or cleaning of the raw material, followed by the actual processing, which could be chopping, blanching, crushing, mixing or even cooking of the food item, the addition of preservatives and the final packaging maintaining hygiene and maintaining quality of products.