IGNOU Invites Applications For B.Sc. Food Safety And Quality Management Programme

IGNOU’s School of Agriculture has developed a degree program in food safety because such a program is currently not available through conventional online, or ODL modes of education. B.Sc. (Food Safety and Quality Management) (BSCFFSQM) being the first-of-its-kind program will be on offer from the July 2024 session in both the sessions (January and July). To register for the newly launched program candidates can visit the IGNOU official website – ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

The University becomes the first to provide a Bachelor’s degree program in food safety and quality management, making the planned degree program a unique endeavor. The food safety and quality management bachelor’s degree curriculum has been developed to meet the educational needs of different food processing and food safety industry stakeholders.

Food processing is an emerging sector. The demand for processed and ready-to-eat food products is rising, and the food processing sector is growing fast as a result of changing consumption patterns, lifestyle changes, globalization, urbanization, and other factors. Food safety is now a major problem due to rapid expansion in the food industry There is a great demand for the skilled and qualified food safety and quality professionals due to shifting global food production patterns, international trade, technological advancements, and health consciousness.

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Recent reports on the frequency of food-borne illnesses and incidents pertaining to food safety have prompted the enactment and enforcement of the science-based Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which has resulted in the need for a sizable and highly skilled workforce at various levels.

Salient features of the BSCFFSQM

The major objectives of the program are to generate competent human resources in the area of food safety and quality management, enhance knowledge and skills in multi-disciplinary areas like food science, food processing and food safety; and promote self-employment in food processing, food safety and food auditing.

• The minimum duration of the programme (major) is three years under FYUP. However, the candidate has the flexibility of completing the programme within eight years’ time.
• The Eligibility for enrollment to the Programme will be 10+2 with Science/Agriculture subject or its equivalent.
• The B.Sc. (Food Safety and Quality Management) (BSCFFSQM) is developed under Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) based on the UGC guidelines and has the multidisciplinary component.
• This programme includes a comprehensive set of courses designed to equip learners with a broad range of discipline specific courses (DSC), minor discipline specific courses, vocational, ability enhancement courses, interdisciplinary courses, skill Enhancement courses/internship/ dissertation, internship/ dissertation, value added, and research courses.
• Discipline specific courses cover food science and food safety, food chemistry and nutrition, food microbiology and toxicology, post-harvest management of food produce, food safety and quality assurance, processing of agricultural produce, processing of animal produce, food safety and quality management system, food safety laws and regulations. Other courses will be taken from the University’s bouquet of courses mentioned above.

Job Opportunities:

The degree holders may be able to serve as:

• Food safety team leader/member in Food industry/hospitality institutions
• Food safety officer/inspector in Regulatory bodies
• Auditor in certification and inspection bodies
• Trainer/Counsellor in training/counselling bodies.
• Member of supply chain management team in retail chain/ industry
• Self-Employment as certifying professionals, counsellor, trainer, auditor