food-analyst/references/tasks.md

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.