Does every big food processing plant have an in-house lab?
Most of you here are quite experienced, with many years in food industry so thanks in advance for posting your opinion. I have a question about in-house laboratories.
I am a Food Science&Technology M.Sc. student just starting in my program, but I'm already doing some research on employment opportunities in my city. After I graduate I would like to work in a lab that does simple (routine) chem/microbiology food analysis. I am therefore considering in-house labs of food processing plants. The questions I have are:
Does every big food processing plant (>100 employees) have an in-house laboratory for chemical/microbiological tests? In our city most of the big plants are either meat, milk, or beverage product manufacturers.
Is it a requirement to have such laboratory or not (I'm in Canada)?
How can you tell if there is an internal lab in a particular food plant?
Do I have a right as a consumer to call/email them and ask if they have an in-house lab where all the tests are done? Would you respond if you were the person receiving such an inquery?
How can you get a job in such laboratory? Can I volunteer while still in my m.sc. program?
Thank you all.
Hello all,
Most of you here are quite experienced, with many years in food industry so thanks in advance for posting your opinion. I have a question about in-house laboratories.
I am a Food Science&Technology M.Sc. student just starting in my program, but I'm already doing some research on employment opportunities in my city. After I graduate I would like to work in a lab that does simple (routine) chem/microbiology food analysis. I am therefore considering in-house labs of food processing plants. The questions I have are:
Does every big food processing plant (>100 employees) have an in-house laboratory for chemical/microbiological tests? In our city most of the big plants are either meat, milk, or beverage product manufacturers.
Is it a requirement to have such laboratory or not (I'm in Canada)?
How can you tell if there is an internal lab in a particular food plant?
Do I have a right as a consumer to call/email them and ask if they have an in-house lab where all the tests are done? Would you respond if you were the person receiving such an inquery?
How can you get a job in such laboratory? Can I volunteer while still in my m.sc. program?
Thank you all.
dear Dimitri..
IMO.. every big food processing plan must have internal lab.. that purpose is to make some Control of Quality .. in my company we call that QC LAb, the acativity of lab is to analyze Raw MAterial (include Water process and packaging material) , WIP Products, Finish Product. etc.. The analysis include sensory, physical, chemical and micro analysis...
In my company.. we have some procedure to respon every feedback from the customer, and IMO every company have the procedure like this too.. so you cannt direct to lab if you have some question about the company...
I got the job.. because the lab activity is part of my responsibility in my company...
some company have program to help student to know the real industry.. i think you can contact some company in your country to ask about that program....
thats my opinion hope can help answer your questions...
I have the same opinion as As Nur and have seen in-house laboratories in many of the big food processing plants with both chemical and microbiological tests being done including raw and packaging material testing.
It is a requirement to do all the concerned tests for every batch of food being produced to assure quality and safety of the product and this requires testing everyday and therefore an in-house lab is a cost effective and convenient.
Every food company has a customer care and complaint handling program and they can guide you with your queries, though I doubt if these are taken care in the QA department. You can check with the HR department regarding to jobs or training.
My opinion is the same as AS Nur and J. But I suppose to think every food industries should have an internal Lab. Coz they will need on-time verification to ensure the safety and quality of their products. The lab scale may vary depend on the bussiness.
Actually I'm slightly confuse with your questions. Do you want to seek a job, or an apprentice program? If you want to find a job, I dont think "pretending" as costumer act is a good practice. Especially for an industry that supply needs to other industries, they much known their costumers.
Besides, commonly costumers only affiliate with the costumer services or sales person. So I dont think you wont get enough information about Lab. The easier way I guess to browse their website or asking someone who worked there.
Regards,
Arya
To AS Nur: Congrats on your 100 posts!! :)
I can answer yr general question -
Does every big food processing plant (>100 employees) have an in-house laboratory for chemical/microbiological tests? In our city most of the big plants are either meat, milk, or beverage product manufacturers.
No. Can depend on many things - (a) company security aspects (b) regulatory aspects © specific industry and others.
And my congrats to AS NUR also -
(looks like it helps to be an "A" although the next one may well be a "Y"
Rgds / Charles.C
This forum very usefull for me.. that enlighting me.. hope it can growth and more information for me...
i will wait for next 1000 post.. wish me luck...
Congratulations on the big 100 AS NUR, I really hope you make it to 1,000.Thanks Arya and Charles...
This forum very usefull for me.. that enlighting me.. hope it can growth and more information for me...
i will wait for next 1000 post.. wish me luck...
Regards,
Simon