# Tasks & work activities — food analyst

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 19-4013.00 (Food Science Technicians).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- **[Core]** Monitor and control temperature of products.
- **[Core]** Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- **[Core]** Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
- **[Core]** Supervise other food science technicians.
- **[Core]** Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
- **[Core]** Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
- **[Core]** Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
- **[Core]** Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- **[Core]** Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- **[Core]** Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- **[Core]** Examine chemical or biological samples to identify cell structures or to locate bacteria or extraneous material, using a microscope.
- **[Core]** Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dimensions meet specifications.
- **[Core]** Order supplies needed to maintain inventories in laboratories or in storage facilities of food or beverage processing plants.
- **[Supplemental]** Prepare or incubate slides with cell cultures.
- **[Supplemental]** Mix, blend, or cultivate ingredients to make reagents or to manufacture food or beverage products.

## Detailed work activities

- Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
- Clean objects.
- Evaluate quality of materials or products.
- Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.
- Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
- Manage scientific or technical project resources.
- Measure physical or chemical properties of materials or objects.
- Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
- Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.
- Record research or operational data.
- Research methods to improve food products.
- Supervise laboratory work.
- Test quality of materials or finished products.
- Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.