Food Engineering: Shaping Chile's Agribusiness Future

Good morning, teacher. In the following presentation, I will talk to you about food engineers and their importance to society. Food engineering produces what our country eats. The importance of good nutrition is not necessarily common sense. In fact, it was only in 1979 that World Food Day was established. In recent years, diverse issues have been addressed, such as food prices, food safety, and biodiversity.

What is a Food Engineer?

A Food Engineer is a professional who can design, plan, adapt, innovate, control, and optimize the production process in the food industry. But what does this mean? To begin with, every engineering discipline implies using knowledge and technologies with a scientific basis (mathematics, biology, and chemistry, among others). In general, it requires someone with an aptitude for scientific studies, laboratory work, and an interest in formulas and mathematical relations. Here, you evaluate the quality and nutritional value of foods, in addition to learning to preserve, store, and transport them. You will also learn how food processes are developed and manufactured. Furthermore, you will learn how to participate in the decisions of Chile's trade agreements to help transform it into an agribusiness power, which makes it an important profession in society.

Career Opportunities in Food Engineering

The work area of a food engineer is mainly focused on the following industries:

• Bread
• Mills/Flour
• Soft drinks
• Beer
• Dairy products
• Mass production and distribution of meals
• Sanitary control
• Industrialization of the food industry

Food Engineering Education in Chile

Currently, food engineering is taught in nine universities, graduating professionals year by year, willing to improve tomorrow's food industry.

Thank you.