Sector
Food Industry
Keyword

Food Lab Assistant

Lab Assistant

Minimum B. Sc./B. Tech in food and dairy

Minimum experience of 0?1 years in a relevant field

The tasks a Laboratory Assistant, Food & Beverages is expected to perform include:

Setting up the equipment and apparatus in the lab

Conducting routine testing of food, drinks and other edible items

Conducting tests to determine the properties, nutritional value, alcoholic contents, etc. of various food items

Ensuring that the samples are as per the prescribed standards and are not adulterated

Setting up and operating the required apparatus such as heaters, hydrometers, thermostats, vacuum pumps, etc.

Determining the melting points, specific gravity, boiling point, reaction with chemicals and other factors, of the food items

Following all the directions given by Chemists or Food Technologists

Ensuring that the food and beverages tested conform to the prescribed standards, as stated on their labels

Reporting cases of adulteration, fermentation, putrefaction, etc. to senior officers

Washing and cleaning the apparatus and keeping them in safe custody

Maintaining the necessary records

Keeping the laboratory clean and tidy

Preparing the standard solution regents and other testing media

Skilled in the operation of heaters, hydrometers, thermostats, vacuum pumps, etc.

Knowledge of the different types of tests conducted on food items

Knowledge of equipment and other materials used in different tests

Familiar with food industry standards and specifications as specified by the government

Proficient in detecting cases of adulteration, fermentation and putrefaction

Ability to read the labels on the packaged food items accurately and deduce information from it

Not required

Good communication skills

Good listening skills

Hard working

Ability to work independently

Self-motivated

Cautious

It is not a desk job

Need not handle a team

Local travelling is not a part of this job role

Part-time work and contractual jobs maybe available

Work from home option is not available

Working hours
Companies usually work for 6/7 days a week and 8/9 hours everyday. This may vary from company to company

Shift system maybe available

Is the job suitable for a candidate with special needs?
No

This job is not listed as hazardous or dangerous as per The Factories Act, 1948 (section 87)

Health risks include exposure to fumes from hazardous chemicals

For freshers - INR 8,000 to INR 12,000 per month

(These figures are indicative and subject to change)

The Food Industry in India

The Indian Brand Equity Foundation in their report on the food industry of India have referred to this industry as the highest profit incurring sector considering the scope it has to offer for value addition. In particular, the food processing industry in India has been recognized as a high-priority area. This is because the food processing industry is one of the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth.

The latest figures have revealed that the total food production in India is likely to double in the next 10 years as the country?s domestic food market is estimated to reach US$ 258 billion by 2015.

Considering all the world data, the Indian food and grocery market is the world?s sixth largest with its retail contributing 70 per cent of the sales. It is projected to grow at a rate of 104 per cent, touching US$ 482 billion by 2020. This indicates a vast scope for both investors and exporters.

Given these figures it is safe to say that the demand for a Laboratory Assistant, Food & Beverages is there in the present and will surely increase in coming years.

Food processing units

Government and private research institutes

Cities and towns across India