The food we eat can play a huge role in our health, which is why it's so important that our food is safe. The role of a food safety health inspector is to make sure companies are following food safety regulations.
You can become a food safety health inspector by earning a degree or certificate in food safety. Keep reading for our top food safety health inspector training and education programs.
Top Food Safety Health Inspector Training and Education Programs
Several colleges and universities throughout the United States offer programs that are designed for those wanting to become food safety health inspectors.
We've listed some of our top picks below in alphabetical order.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona, a city just outside of Phoenix. It offers food safety programs through its Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Students can earn their Master of Science in regulatory science with a concentration in food safety. This program trains students in food protection concerns and regulations throughout the food supply chain.
The program requires a total of 33 credits. Courses offered in this concentration include:
- Assessing Food Safety and Developing Policy Procedures and Training
- Food Safety and Protection
- Quality Assurance and Safety in Food and Dietary Supplements
- Technical Writing for the Regulatory Professional
Students conclude the program with an applied project based on a food topic studied during this program. This degree is available on campus or online.
Additionally, ASU offers a graduate certificate in food safety and protection. This is an online program that requires five courses, including the four listed above for the master's program.
2. Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. Its Lewis College of Science and Letters offers master's programs in food safety.
A Master of Science and Master of Applied Science in food safety and technology are available. These programs are collaborations between Illinois Tech and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Both programs require 32 credits and include courses like:
- Advanced Food Process Engineering
- Food Process Engineering
- Fundamentals of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in Food Science and Nutrition
- Fundamentals of Food Science
The Master of Applied Science program also offers two concentrations: a business concentration and a concentration in industrial management.
With the exception of one lab course, these degrees can be earned entirely online.
3. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It offers a master's degree in food safety regulation through its Krieger School of Arts and Letters.
The Master of Science in food safety regulation prepares students to promote safety at every level of the food supply chain.
This program is offered entirely online and takes between 20 to 36 months to complete. The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Food Labeling and Packaging Regulations
- Food Safety Audits and Surveillance
- Regulation of Good Food Production Practices
- USDA Regulation of Food Safety, Wholesomeness, and Labeling
Graduates of this program have gone on to work for the FDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
4. Kansas State University
Kansas State University is a public research university based in Manhattan, Kansas. It offers two online certificates in food safety.
The food safety and quality undergraduate certificate provides students with a scientific background in food science while allowing them to tailor their curriculum to food safety.
It requires 20 credits and includes courses like:
- A Multidisciplinary Overview of Food Safety and Security
- Food Protection and Defense: Essential Concepts
- Fundamentals of Food Processing
- Quality Assurance of Food Products
The food safety and defense graduate certificate offers an in-depth look into topics such as hazard analysis, foodborne toxicants, and food laws and regulations.
This certificate requires 12 credits and offers courses such as:
- Food Laws and the Regulatory Process
- Principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
- Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology
- Risk Assessment for Food, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine
Both programs are offered 100% online.
5. Lakeland University
Lakeland University is a private university in Plymouth, Wisconsin. It offers a bachelor's degree in food safety through its William R. Kellet School of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies.
The Bachelor of Science in food safety and quality blends best business practices with the sciences of biology and chemistry to focus on the safe production of food.
This is a four-year program. It includes courses like:
- Analytical Testing Practices
- Beer: The Science and Story Behind Fermentation
- Food Safety and Quality Practices
- Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism
The program also requires students to participate in either a cooperative education experience or an internship in food safety and quality.
Lakeland University offers this program online, on campus, and in a blended format.
FAQs About Food Safety Health Inspector Training and Education Programs
Below, you'll find the answers to commonly asked questions about food safety health inspector training and education programs.
How Long Are Food Safety Health Inspector Training and Education Programs?
The length of food safety health inspector training and education programs can vary. Generally, master's degrees take two years, while certificate programs can take a few months to a year.
Can I Attend Food Safety Health Inspector Training and Education Programs Online?
Many colleges and universities, including some listed above, offer their food safety health inspector programs online.
What Can I Do with Food Safety Health Inspector Training and Education?
Training and education in food safety health inspection can help you land a job as a food safety health inspector throughout the food supply chain.
Some graduates may go on to work for government agencies like the FDA, USDA, and EPA to ensure companies and corporations are meeting food safety standards.
Others may go on to work privately for these companies, helping them ensure that their practices are meeting these safety standards.
Find Food Safety Health Inspector Training and Education Programs
Students can find food safety health inspector training and education through many colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Check out the programs above to find the perfect fit for you today.
