Profession food grader
Food graders inspect, sort and grade food products. They grade food products according to sensory criteria or with the help of machinery. They determine the product's use by grading them into the appropriate classes and discarding damaged or expired foods. Food graders measure and weigh the products and report their findings so the food can be further processed.
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Personality Type
- Realistic / Conventional
Knowledge
- Quality assurance methodologies
Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
- Processes of foods and beverages manufacturing
Raw materials and production processes for getting finished food products. Importance of quality control and other techniques for the food and beverage industry.
- Food storage
The proper conditions and methods to store food to keep it from spoiling, taking into account humidity, light, temperature and other environmental factors.
- Food materials
Quality and range of raw materials, half finished products and end products of a specific food sector.
- Food science
The study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food and the scientific concepts underlying food processing and nutrition.
- Food safety principles
Scientific background of food safety which includes preparation, handling, and storage of food to minimise the risk of foodborne illness and other health hazards.
- Food and beverage industry
The respective industry and the processes involved in the food and beverage industry, such as raw material selection, processing, packaging, and storage.
- Food legislation
Legislation related to the food and feed industry including food manufacturing, hygiene, safety, raw materials, additives, GMOs, labelling, environmental and trade regulations.
- Food preservation
Deterioration factors, controlling factors (temperature, additives, humidity, pH, water activity, etc., including packaging) and food processing methods to preserve food products.
- Legislation about animal origin products
The applicable legal rules on temperature, waste materials, traceability, labelling, trading, and the transport of animal origin products.
- Food product ingredients
Technical features of the formulation of ingredients for food products.
- Food safety standards
Food safety standards (i.e. ISO 22000) developed by the recognised organisations for Standardization dealing with food safety. For example, the ISO 22000 international standard specifies the requirements for an effective food safety management system. It covers interactive communication, system management, prerequisite programs and HACCP principles.
- Risks associated to physical, chemical, biological hazards in food and beverages
Interpretation of laboratory tests for parameters affecting food safety taking into account risks associated with physical, chemical, and biological hazards in food and beverages.
- Functional properties of foods
Structure, quality, nutritional value and/or acceptability of a food product. A food functional property is determined by physical, chemical and/or organoleptic properties of a food. Examples of a functional property may include solubility, absorption, water retention, frothing ability, elasticity, and absorptive capacity for fats and foreign particles.
Skills
- Keep up-to-date with regulations
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and apply this knowledge in specific sectors.
- Store raw food materials
Keep in reserve raw materials and other food supplies, following stock control procedures.
- Work in a food processing team
Collaborate in a team with other food processing professionals in service of the food & beverages industry.
- Work independently in service of a food production process
Work individually as an important element in service of a food production process. This function is executed individually with little or no supervision or collaboration with colleagues.
- Perform food safety checks
Carry out food safety checks in order to assure compliance with requirements, regulations, and other good food manufacturing practices.
- Grade foods
Sort and grade food products according to sensory criteria such as size, weight or appearance by hand or with the help of machines. Grade the foods into appropriate classes to be further processed.
- Prepare visual data
Prepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.
- Manage time in food processing operations
Assure a correct management of time and resources using appropriate planning methods.
- Ensure correct goods labelling
Ensure that goods are labeled with all necessary labeling information (e.g. legal, technological, hazardous and others) regarding the product. Ensure that labels respects the legal requirements and adhere to regulations.
- Perform quality audits
Execute regular, systematic and documented examinations of a quality system for verifying conformity with a standard based on objective evidence such as the implementation of processes, effectiveness in achieving quality goals and reduction and elimination of quality problems.
- Perform food risk analysis
Perform food risks analysis for food safety assurance.
- Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.
- Assess nutritional characteristics of food
Assess nutritional characteristics of food for human consumption for a better healthy diet.
- Perform sensory evaluation
Evaluating the quality of a given type of food or beverage based on its appearance, smell, taste, aroma, and others. Suggest possible improvements and comparisons with other products.
- Follow quality standards
Apply a set of measures and standards concerning the quality of processes or products, ensuring that quality is maintained and improved during work activities.
- Assess quality characteristics of food products
Assess quality characteristics of food products in terms of the main properties (e.g. physical, sensorial, chemical, technological, etc.) for raw materials, half-finished products, as well as finish products.
Optional knowledge and skills
identify hazards in the workplace develop standard operating procedures in the food chain measure precise food processing operations advise on food preservation perform detailed food processing operations exert quality control to processing food handle communications in the food processing industry advice food processing professionals analyse samples of food and beverages follow hygienic procedures during food processing write work-related reports keep up with innovations in food manufacturing provide food labelling expertise apply scientific methodsCommon job titles
- General production
- Material handler
- Food inspector
- Youthink program coordinator
- Food service worker
- Packer i
- Production line worker
- Store team member
- Public health sanitarian ii
- Agricultural commodity grader