4 REASONS TO PURSUE A CAREER IN FOOD SAFETY

By Shayna Joubert  |  July 25, 2019

While it was once common to eat only locally harvested food, the food we consume today originates from all over the globe. In a single hamburger—made with items purchased at your local supermarket—you might consume beef from North America, lettuce from Mexico, tomatoes from New Zealand, spices from Australia, and preservatives from Europe.

Although this level of globalization in our food supply has many benefits, it also introduces new challenges and risks regarding food safety. Diseases and contaminants that once may have been contained now have the potential to spread across international borders and impact millions of more people.

Foodborne illness outbreaks have devastating effects on public health, resulting in chronic illnesses, long-term health consequences, and even death. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that each year, 48 million people—one in six Americans—contract a foodborne illness, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. In our interconnected world, food safety is more important than ever.

Breaches in food safety don’t just affect public health; they also have a steep economic impact. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that foodborne illnesses cost more than $15.6 billion annually due to healthcare costs and decreased consumer confidence in food safety, which negatively impacts buying patterns.

In an effort to mitigate these risks and improve global health, consumer groups, industry stakeholders, and regulatory organizations—including the USDA and FDA—worked with President Barack Obama to pass the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which began implementation in early 2016. The FSMA calls for more comprehensive food safety programs and training in food preparation, service, handling, and equipment maintenance to improve the likelihood that the food on your plate is authentic and safe to eat.

The goal of this legislation, says Darin Detwiler, assistant dean and director of Northeastern’s Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs of Food and Food Industries program, “is for organizations to take a more proactive approach to preventing illnesses and deaths. This will take much support in terms of funding, training, new state legislation, increased staffing, and more universal certification of staff and labs.”

In support of this global initiative, the demand for skilled food safety professionals is growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that food safety employment will rise eight percent by 2026, making this a fitting time to enter the field.

Along with a promising career outlook, read on to learn more about the top four reasons to consider a career in food safety.