What is Food Science and Technology?

Food Science is the discipline in which biology, physical sciences, and engineering are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration, and the principles underlying food processing; and Food Technology as the application of food science to the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe, nutritious, and wholesome food (The Institute of Food Technologist’s (IFT). The Meru University Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology is designed to meet the core competencies as provided by the IFT. It consists of theory, laboratory and food processing workshop sessions, and industrial placement. In-depth career guidance can be obtained on IFT’s website https://www.ift.org/career-development/learn-about-food-science

Why Study Food Science and Technology?

Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy and the largest contributor to the national gross domestic product (GDP). Besides availing safe and nutritious foods to satisfy the local demand, Kenya exports many value-added food products to the regional and international markets. Moreover, our agricultural value chain is characterized by huge post-harvest losses and fluctuating food prices creating the need for appropriate preservation techniques. Increasing value in Agriculture is one of the objectives of Kenya’s Vision 2030. This will be done by processing and thereby adding value to her products before they reach the market.

Driven by the increasing need to add more competent personnel in the food industry to meet the vision 2030 objective of increasing value in agriculture and enhancing food security, the Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology is designed to produce graduates who are skilled in all aspects of Food Science and Technology who will meet the manpower requirements of the growing food industry.

Career prospects

The food industry is one of the largest areas of employment globally and also in Kenya. You can find a food industry in virtually every corner of our country. Additionally, with the right skills, there is a huge potential in self-employment. Food is a basic need and the population is increasing. As our country develops, more people are moving to urban centers. Moreover, consumers are becoming more health-conscious and hence the need for safer, healthy, convenient, and extended life food products. Employers in Kenya include companies that process Meat, Milk, Coffee, Tea, Alcoholic (Brewers and distillers) and non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks, juices), Cereals (Flour Millers, Bakeries, and ready to eat cereal makers), Sugar its confectionery products, fresh produce (fruits, vegetables), Fat and oils, Snacks and honey. Positions in the industry include working as front-line supervisors in processing, quality assurance, and new product development departments, with eventual progression to managerial levels. Other openings include government agencies involved in food standards and food law enforcement such as the Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Dairy Board, State Department of Agriculture, and State Department of Health. Academic and research institutions and consultancy firms.  

Why food science at Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST)?

MUST was established in pursuit of Kenya’s Vision 2030 goal of intensified application of STI to raise productivity and efficiency levels across the three pillars, by committing more resources to scientific research, technical capabilities of the workforce. This is to be realized by raising the quality of teaching mathematics, science and technology in schools, polytechnics and universities. Towards this end the department of food science is a beneficiary of an ultra-modern Laboratory and Food processing workshop complex, which a vison 2030 flagship project. Our overall aim is to produce a graduate who has hands-on, basic employability, and entrepreneurial skills. MUST provides a serene learning environment in the agriculture rich area of Meru, modern learning facilities, and a dedicated faculty.