Food safety and security
Class: L-26 - Food Sciences & L-38 - Zoology
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Characteristics and objectives
Students acquire specific skills for safety and security management through the assessment of the risk of food contamination by chemical or biological compounds which are harmful to the consumer. Training begins with the consolidation of basic knowledges, such as physics, mathematics, biostatistics, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as the study of animal and plant systems and food production processes. Further on, in-depth knowledge of food legislation, company self-control procedures, the toxicity of drugs and chemical contaminants and the effects of food zoonoses on the consumer, as well as hygiene and safety in the workplace, are acquired. Students also develop specific skills for evaluating the chemical, microbiological and quality characteristics of foods. Students approach their future profession through educational visits and internship activities in agri-food companies and consultancy and research laboratories.
Occupational opportunities
Graduates will be responsible for managing food and drink safety in agri-food companies, the logistics and food distribution and administration. They will be able to deal with quality control and quality assurance in the aforementioned working fields. They will also be expert figures in the training and updating of operators, with specific reference to good working hygiene practices and the application of food production regulations. Furthermore, they will be able to carry out consultancy activities regarding hygienic-sanitary, technical-productive and legal aspects at companies offering services for the agri-food sector, for catering and for large-scale retail trade, or find employment as operators and technical operators in public or private laboratories that provide services to agri-food companies. They will also be able to carry out support activities to technical management aimed at improving the qualitative, quantitative and hygienic-sanitary aspects of primary production and animal welfare in livestock and agro-zootechnical companies. Graduates will be able to take the exams to qualify as junior agronomist and forestry doctor (L-26) and zoonomist (L-38).
From Bachelor's degree to Master's degree
Access to master's degree courses that focus on the scientific areas of food production or food control (LM-70, LM-9, LM-61), or animal and plant production (LM-86, LM-69), is carried out according to the rules for admission published by each School.
