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Who is a Food Inspector?
Food inspector ensures good food not just for the body but also for the soul ~ Anonymous
There are several packaged products that we consume from the market. Have you ever noticed the ‘FSSAI’ logo on the packet? Well you must check for one because if the packaging says,”FSSAI approved’, it means your food is safe to consume. But, who does this safety check? The answer is a food inspector conducts various tests related to the safety of the product like the ingredients, their proportions used, cleanliness of machinery, safe packaging, and the overall hygiene of the product is checked. If you wish to be someone who inspects places of food production for ensuring the health safety of others then you can have a career as a food inspector and it is not only FSSAI that can hire you but there are several companies in the private sector who can hire you.
Food Inspector is an official that analyses the safety and quality of food products, the ingredients that are used for the production of the food products as well as the hygiene of equipment used and the place where these products are produced.

Food Inspector in a Nutshell
A career as food inspector comes with the responsibility to ensure the food is healthy for human consumption. A food inspector inspects the food processing entities, manufacturing companies, restaurants and dairy farms to collects samples for investigating the quality of food ingredients and preservatives being used in the food product to be sold in the market. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about how to become food inspector.
Quick Facts for Food Inspector
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Industry
Food and Beverage
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Average Salary in India
₹21000
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Suitable for
Male, Female
Both men and women can have a career as food inspectors. This job is not gender-specific. Being a food inspector is one of the most exciting professions where an individual’s gender is insignificant.
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Any special needs
No
When it comes to career as a food inspector it is better to be physically fit for a better and efficient way of working. A food inspector has to go to many kinds of locations. They might not be all sweet and nice, therefore, it might get difficult for an individual with physical disabilities to manage. A food inspector must have a strong vision for detecting minor characteristic changes in food items during the inspection. Not only that they should have a strong stomach, experienced tasting skills as there may be a wide variety of food sources offered for tasting and testing. A food inspector should be able to work standing/sitting for long hours. They should be comfortable with traveling to various sites for work.
Table of Contents for Food Inspector
What is the role of Food Inspector?
A food inspector is responsible for certifying health codes in companies engaged in producing various consumables, falling under any category ranging from restaurants to food manufacturing plants. A career as food inspector demands to inspect the food processing and manufacturing companies to supervise the production process and collect samples. He or she further sends the samples for research. He or she ensures the food ingredients and preservatives used in the production for human consumption meets the quality standards. He or she also makes sure the food is hygienic and processed in a clean surrounding. A food inspector may cancel the license of food processing and manufacturing entities if found violating the standard regulations under the food safety and standards act. 2006.
Analysis
It is the duty of the food inspector to ensure safety and the quality of ingredients used for producing food items. A food inspector also keeps an eye out on what the company buys, what food products it produces, the processes and the equipment used to make the products.
Inspection
It is the core responsibility of a food inspector to inspect food products and accept them or reject them according to their quality. They also examine the food ingredients and determine the safety requirements, regulatory and industry standards and several other aspects.
Ensuring safety
A career as a food inspector requires them to ensure food safety, security. He or she also ensures that the sanitation systems are kept and maintained according to the guidelines of the authority.
Types of a Food Inspector
There are several types of food inspectors and relevant careers. We have provided below the major ones below with their varying responsibilities.
Quality Inspector: A Quality Inspector should inspect the quality of a company's incoming and outgoing materials and components. They are also known as Quality Assurance Supervisors and are responsible for performing checks, reviewing samples and supervising manufacturing processes. They work in production departments or production lines. They make sure you should not get sick from the food or medication you consume. For almost all manufactured goods, like food, medicines, and other products, these staffs control the standards of quality.
Food Technician: Under the guidance of food scientists, food technicians perform studies and assist with tests on refined food products, chemicals and containers. A great deal of the work is spent researching food to make sure it meets human consumption standards and regulations. Food technician prepares and clears tools and equipment, as well as aids teachers with demonstration lectures and procedures and also help to schedule, develop and coordinate processes, practices and guidelines.
Food Quality Assurance Manager: Food quality control managers are liable for making sure that food ingredients meet requirements set by the industries as well as regulators. They will create and review policies on quality and health, and conduct audits by third-party investigators. They also work to improve the efficiency and profitability of an organization by cutting waste.
Agricultural Inspector: The Agriculture Inspector is someone who works to prevent food-borne diseases and provide healthy food to everyone. Anything that we eat does not come directly to us especially in the cities. The food goes through numerous departments before finally coming to the consumer. The food crops in the field often get infected by pests and insects. To avoid this, the farmers spray pesticides and insecticides on crops.
Food Scientist: Food scientists utilise their knowledge in the subjects of chemistry, biology, food production and processing. They also apply their knowledge in the functioning of techniques and equipment used in food processing and product.
Dairy Technologist: Dairy technologists are food scientists who work primarily with dairy and dairy products. Dairy technologists study the chemical makeup and properties of milk, yoghurt, butter, ice cream and cheese. These scientists might work for private businesses or universities, and sometimes they're self-employed.
What is the workplace/work environment of Food Inspector like?
As the work of a food inspector must be done away from a government office, food inspectors have a high degree of flexibility in their scheduling. For those people who can't sit at a desk all day, a food inspector job offers frequent physical activity. It is a field-based job that requires travelling to various places where food inspection is supposed to be conducted. Are you looking for information about how to become food inspector? To clear your questions, scroll and read.
Does Food Inspector require travelling?
Likely
Yes, since career as a food inspector is a field-based job it does require traveling from one place to another in order to do food checks. The traveling may be intercity or on the outskirts as well depending on the requirement.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
A career as a food inspector is a full-time based job. There is no way one can work from home or do this work on a part-time basis.
Employment Nature
Permanent
The nature of the employment in a career as a food inspector is permanent in nature, not a contractual one.
Work Place
Restaurants, Office, Food Processing Industries
A career as food inspector demands to stay on the field inspecting food processing and manufacturing entities. He or she also performs several duties in the office such as documentation.
Presence in Geographical Area
Rural, Semi-urban, Urban
In a career as a food inspector, one may have to work in an urban, semi-urban as well as rural geographic location. It depends where he or she is going to do a food inspection on that particular day. A food inspector doesn’t really have a fixed work location. They might have to go and inspect a high-end restaurant located in a nice urban location. But, they might go for an inspection in a food godown located in a semi-urban or a rural location on the other.
Time Pressure
Not Likely
In a career as food inspector, there is hardly any time pressure for food inspectors. They are required to work as per their schedule which includes the responsibilities and inspections assigned to them. The time pressure is almost negligible in the job except for inspection days when the supervisors cross-verify the work of food inspectors.
Overtime Details
Typically, in a career as food inspector, they are required to work for 9 hours per day. They usually work in indoor settings going through the files and documents of various food projects. However, during inspection days they might be required to work overtime because of travelling inconveniences.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 40 Hours
A food inspector job is based on a minimum 40-hour workweek and occasional travel to other food processing plants. His or her work hours often get extended due to inspection duties which involve dealing with those who violate the law and interrupts during the inspection and monitoring the processes involved in food manufacturing.
How to become a Food Inspector?
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Food Inspector?
When it comes to how to become food inspector, the first thing that they should know about is the skills required to become a food inspector. Some of the essential skills we have mentioned below.
Technical Skills: They need to be strong in instrument handling. A food inspector should have the ability to handle a variety of instruments based on the requirement. They must have computer proficiency and be able to handle software like Microsoft software. For example Word/Excel/PowerPoint for compiling reports. A food inspector must have the report writing ability. They must be able to defend one’s report in case of legal proceedings.
Communication Skills: An aspiring food inspector must possess strong communication skills. Communication in the workplace is crucial to businesses as it helps organizations to be profitable and run properly. Workers can experience a rise in motivation, performance and involvement if they would collaborate in a company. Communication skills help you to get everyone else to consider and appreciate. This may involve and are therefore not limited to expressing ideas effectively to others, participating actively in discussions, providing and obtaining meaningful suggestions and public speaking.
Critical Thinking: A food inspector must possess the ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Critical thinking is crucial because it enables members of the team to analyze issues more effectively and to recognize potential solutions that once will not look exactly noticeable. The ability to think logically and rationally of what to do what and how to conclude is critical thinking. It generates a strategy in independent and reflective thinking. Anybody with critical thinking skills will grasp the connections between ideas.
Decision-Making Skills: Considering the relative costs and benefits of selecting the most suitable of possible acts. The capacity to make a decision and stick to that is the foundation of strong leadership competencies. Decision making is a process that helps to continue in any business. Decision-making is essential management skills and is particularly relevant for leaders. It is crucial in personal and professional life even daily. Possessing critical thinking abilities helps one to assess the issue and find a solution that helps the employees and the organization.
Attention to Safety: Scientific background of food safety which includes preparation, handling, and storage of food to minimize the risk of foodborne illness and other health hazards. Laboratory-based sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science or advanced laboratory science are essential to follow the principles to keep the food items safe. Food safety regulations are a scientific concept specifying how food is treated, processed, and preserved in order to avoid or reduce food poisoning. It involves a lot of procedures to be practised to prevent potentially dangerous risks.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Food Inspector?
We have mentioned below several certifications in food science that individuals who aspire to become a food inspector can opt.
Internship Availability
In order to have a better understanding of a career as a food inspector, it is always important to go for an internship. No matter how much practical learning experience your college or university provides, you will get real-world experience by working with a company or an organisation. An internship gives you insights of industry and answers several questions in relevance to how to become a food inspector. When it comes to a career as food inspector, internships are very important since they provide an individual with practical knowledge about the field. In order to be successful in the field, one must have an understanding of the career with a practical point of view rather than learning about it in theory. Internships also enable candidates to make relevant contacts in the field. It can help one in finding a permanent job in the future. Not only that, but an internship also adds value to the person’s resume. Therefore, it always helps during the time of recruitment. An individual can look for a ‘food inspector near me’ on the internet and can forward his or her resume in order to get an internship.
Career Path Progression for Food Inspector
A career as food insector comes with several job roles with varying job responsibilities. One can acquire these job roles while progressing in the industry after gaining a certain experience.
Food Sub-Inspector: A food sub-inspector is involved with various companies that produce consumables. Their job is to certify health codes for these products. It is an entry-level job. Food sub-inspectors are responsible for implementing health codes in institutions where consumables are made and provided. This might include not only food chains, and also retail outlets like grocery stores, and production lines like meat processing plants and industrial plants for milk processing.
Food Inspector: A food inspector is responsible to measure as well as analyse the safety levels of the products used in the end product. They inspect the process and equipment used to manufacture the end product. It is the responsibility of the food inspector to monitor food retailers, producers and suppliers for compliance with food safety standards so the food stays hygienic and free of infections of any type. Food inspectors are generally employed in the health agencies, manufacturing plants and particular government departments.
Senior Food Inspector: A senior food inspector is someone who is responsible to perform quality and safety checks on various consumables produced either by a company or a restaurant. He or she generally comes with a team of juniors at the site of work. He evaluates the quality and sanitation of the equipment and materials being used including the location where the ingredients are indeed being processed to quality standards. In an escalating company, he applies for support and makes them align with domestic or international health and safety regulations.
Food Inspector Jobs and Salaries
Agriculture Electrical Technician
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 21000
- Junior Level Salary 19000
- Senior Level Salary 32000
Job Description
An agriculture electrical technician is a professional responsible for maintaining machinery, meeting maintenance requirements for various systems and minimising downtime. He or she is required to support, troubleshoot, improve and maintain high-speed production and packaging machinery. An agriculture electrical technician job involves ensuring quality standards are met all time.
Salary Description
The salary of an electrical technician varies depending on his or her skills and experience. An entry-level agriculture technician could earn more than Rs. 200,000 per annum. A senior-level electrical technician could earn more than Rs. 400,000 per annum.
Also read : Agricultural Technician
What is the job outlook for Food Inspector?
With every passing day food outlets, processing units, all of them are increasing. From small eating hubs to large-scale procurement of government undertakings. The demand for a food inspector is supposed to increase in the future and is increasing in the current scenario as well.The food inspector number currently in India is not that huge provided the country has such a huge population. Although most of the jobs are in the government sector only still their demand is increasing due to an increase in food joints/production units and other food-related undertakings. A food inspector is required to keep a check on not only government undertakings but private bodies as well. Now if one is assertive that they own all those qualities which may turn them into a proficient Food Inspector, it is the time to decide whether they want to offer their duties at a state level or national level.
With the intertwining of the global food chain auditing process, increasing pressure to enhance food safety, more and more emphasis on food safety regulations by various national and international regulatory agencies, the streamlining of the inspections has emerged as one of the concerns among establishments involved in food processing. To strengthen it, the demand for food inspectors is vigorously growing in India. Although presently the government sector is liable for employing the food inspectors, both state and federal agencies recruit food inspectors. However one may explore opportunities with private companies as well. Food inspectors are employed in inspecting both the government-owned units as well as privately owned food processing establishments. To rationalize the audits and ensure compliance with food regulatory guidelines, the requirement for food inspectors is rising proportionally.
The food industry is one of those industries where there can never be a recession. People will never stop eating. That is the basis of life. Hence, many companies have started to focus their business on food production, manufacturing and delivery. Hence, it has become important that whatever food material is being sent out is of good quality. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the standard is maintained and this is where a food inspector comes in. Ever since Foreign Direct Investment came to India the demand for food inspectors has also increased. The demand is still increasing due to more and more food chains being opened. A career in food inspection is where one can find that ideal endeavour of job advancement potential and a sense of ensuring the safety of the community.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Food Inspector
Que. Which exam is conducted for a food inspector?
Ans.The most popular exam conducted for the recruitment of food inspectors is the All India Food Inspector exam conducted by Union Service Public Service Commission. There will be designated examination centres in every district of each state.
Que. Is pharmacy eligible for food safety officer?
Ans.The graduates from Food Technology, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Veterinary Science and a few other courses are eligible for the post of food safety officer, whereas pharmacy is removed from the same. By studying all these subjects pharmacy graduates cover all the related aspects of food and drug.
Que. What do you do as a food inspector?
Ans.A career as food inspector comes with the responsibility of inspecting live animals and carcasses at a slaughterhouse or examine food imports at a port for mislabeling or other food safety issues. Inspectors report violations to the appropriate regulatory agency and are responsible for ensuring that foods are suitable for human consumption.
Que. Which exam is conducted for a food inspector?
Ans.The most popular exam conducted for the recruitment of food inspectors is the All India Food Inspector exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission. There will be designated examination centres in every district of each state.
Que. What are the top institutes in India to study food science?
Ans.Top Food Science Colleges
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore | MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh |
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Questions related to Food Inspector
what is the syllabus for exam for the food inspector post conducted by govt of India.
Detailed Syllabus:
General Studies:
The paper of General Studies will include question on the following topics:
1. General Science
Question on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of Science, including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.
2. Current Events of National and International Importance.
Happening around the world.
3. History of India.
In History of India emphasis should be on broad understanding of economic, Social, Cultural and Political aspects of Indian History.
4. Indian National Movement.
In Indian National Movement, the candidates are expected to have a synoptic view of the nature and character of the Indian freedom movement, growth of nationalism and attainment of independence.
5. Indian Polity and Economy.
In Indian Polity and Economy questions will test knowledge of the candidate pertaining to Indian Polity including the Indian Constitution, Panchayati Raj and community Development, broad features of Indian economy and planning.
6. World Geography and Population.
In world Geography and population, only General understanding of the subject will be expected with emphasis on physical/ecological, economic and socio-demographic aspects of Geography of India. Candidates are expected to have general awareness about the above topics with special reference to Uttar Pradesh.
Main Subject:
1. Definition and standards of Food quality
Proximate analysis of Foods, Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate, Vitamins, Minerals Fibres and Water, Human Nutrition, Major and Minor Nutrients and their role, Deficiency Diseases.
2. Fruits, Vegetables and Plantation products:
Definition, Classification, Juices, Pulps, Powder & Extracts, Squash, Cordials, RTS_Beverages etc., Jam, Jellies & Marmalades, Puree, Paste and Concentrates. Ketchups, Sauce & Pickles, Still & Carbonated Beverages. Tea, Coffee and Chocolates, Spices, Quality tests of above food products.
3. Cereals, Pulses and Oil-Seed products:
Definition and Classification of wheat, Rice, Pulses & Oil seed products. Flour, Bread, Biscuits, Cake and other Baked Items. Dehulled legume-Pulses. Vegetable Oil- Refined & Hydrogenerated etc.
4. Animal Food Products:
Fluid Milk and its various kinds. Concentrated and dried milk Products, Fermented Milk Foods, Cream, Ice-Cream, Butter, Chees, Milk Adulterants and its detection. Meat, Fish, Poultry and Egg Products and their quality Control.
5. Food Additives:
Chemical Preservation and assessment of excess use of preservatives & Chemicals, Food Colours, Poisonous metals, Anti Oxidants, Food Flavors, Insecticides & Pesticides, Irradiated Foods. Fierobiological quality of Foods, Food safety, Food Sanitation and Hygeine. PFA, FPO, BIS and AGMARK Specifications of various types of Food and Food Products.
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