Professor showing bananas into plastics in the lab.

Foods — a way of life.

Safe, high-quality and functional foods are vital components of nutritious diets around the world. This major focuses on the science behind the processing of high-quality, safe and wide-ranging food products leading to numerous exciting and job opportunities all around the country. Food product development and sensory evaluation are also emphasized. Commercial internships enhance the hands-on experience. Graduates will become leaders in the food processing industry.

Is it for you?
This program will be a good fit if you:
  • Have a desire to lead and collaborate with others to solve the greatest local and global food market challenges.
  • Seek opportunity for innovation and creativity in your work through development of new food products.
  • Find the psychology, marketing and perception of food by consumers fascinating.
  • Desire a fulfilling career in applied sciences shaping a healthier, stronger and more sustainable food industry.
I love how chemistry affects the food by the way it's cooking and how it's prepared. It's cool how chemistry relates to what I want to do in the future, and how much there is yet to be explored.
Sadie Streff , current student and student employee in the Davis Dairy Plant
Career Opportunities
Explore possible career opportunities with this degree:
  • Food production manager
  • Marketing and communications specialist
  • Sensory science specialist
  • State or federal inspector/auditor
  • Quality assurance/control supervisor or manager
  • Research and development specialist
  • Food regulation and policy adviser
  • Food or flavor chemist or researcher
  • Food safety specialist
  • Food epidemiologist
Recent Employers
Graduates have gone on to work at employers such as:
  • Sunny Fresh Foods
  • Glanbia Foods
  • Hormel
  • Wells Blue Bunny
  • Schreiber Foods
  • State Extension services
  • Public health agencies
  • AMPI
  • Lactalis
  • The Kraft Heinz Company
Internship Opportunities
We have provided the following internship opportunities:
  • Beef Products Inc.
  • Landmark Food Products
  • Wells Blue Bunny
  • Grain Millers Inc.
  • Nestle
  • Schreiber Foods
  • Great Lakes Cheese