Institute of Food Technologists525 W. Van Buren Street, Suite 1000Chicago, Illinois 60607-3830 USA+1.312.782.8424+1.312.782.8348 Faxift.org

For more information…To learn more about the CFS certification, please visit ift.org/certification.

To inquire about group corporate discounts, please email IFSCC@ift.org.

“ Food scientists on my team will be encouraged to pursue the certification. For food scientists and technologists, having achieved the CFS will provide additional distinction in the process of reviewing employees who are candidates for promotion.”

Marianne GilletteVice President Applied ResearchMcCormick and Company, Inc.

It’s a natural evolution...

Food science plays a vital role in bringing the world its food

supply. To meet increasing global demand, professionals

working within the food system must be up-to-date on the

most recent science and technology advancements, and

possess the knowledge and skills that enable them to deliver

safe, quality food to consumers.

To ensure that your organization has the talent to address

critical issues such as these, you work hard to recruit and

hire the most qualified people.

Now, there is a certification program from the Institute of

Food Technologists – the Certified Food Scientist (CFS) –

that will help you more easily identify scientific talent.

10.25.12

How can the CFS benefit you and your organization?

Benefits your organization’s bottom lineKnowledgeable personnel with extensive on-the-job experience may lead to greater organizational success, including more profitable product launches, more efficient business practices, and increased overall company revenue. Hiring new staff with the CFS or encouraging current staff to pursue the CFS credential may also reduce the need for on-the-job training, saving your organization both time and money. Plus, supporting current employees in their pursuit of the CFS may contribute to increased staff retention and loyalty.

Helps you hire and promote top talentLeverage the CFS during your recruitment processes to help you identify knowledgeable food professionals, particularly those with diverse academic and work experiences. The CFS can also inform and shape your organization’s professional development plans and training programs, as it outlines the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by food scientists around the globe. Additionally, you can incorporate attainment of the CFS into your organization’s technical ladder for employee promotion, and use it as part of your organization’s competency mapping processes.

Keeps food science professionals current and qualifiedEmployees and job applicants with the CFS are committed to professional development and staying current with advances and innovations in food science. Food professionals are encouraged to maintain their skills in alignment with the evolving field of food science through recertification requirements associated with the CFS.

Supports professional ethics and integrityHiring and promoting CFS-certified food scientists reinforces your company’s commitment to hiring the most capable people to produce safe, high-quality products. CFS recipients must adhere to professional conduct standards and minimal ethical behavior requirements, further demonstrating to consumers your organization’s dedication to the highest standards for your products.

“ The CFS credential will help in our recruiting efforts. It’s not only that a CFS has proven that a candidate understands and can apply food science principles, but also that he/she has taken the initiative to undergo the certification process on top of his/her daily work.”

Stephen J. Nojeim Research Fellow Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

Obtaining the CFS

What does the CFS actually test?The CFS exam consists of 120 standard multiple-choice questions that test candidates on the content areas, shown below, which define the core professional competencies of a food scientist.

What are the qualifications for taking the exam?Food and beverage professionals have a wide variety of backgrounds. Since the CFS exam tests on-the- job application of food science knowledge, candidates may need to have up to six years of work experience before they can take the exam. Additional eligibility requirements are listed below.

Degree (or Global Equivalent) + Years of Work Experience in Food Science

Master’s or Doctorate in food science or food science concentration*** 2 years of full time work experience (4 years waived)

Master’s or Doctorate in related science† 4 years of full time work experience (2 years waived)

Bachelor’s in food science or food science concentration*** 3 years of full time work experience (3 years waived)

Bachelor’s in related science† 6 years of full time work experience (no years waived)

Product Development – 34%

Quality Assurance & Quality Control – 17%

Regulatory – 10%

Food Microbiology – 9%

Food Safety – 9%

Food Engineering – 6%

Sensory Evaluation & Consumer Testing – 5%

Food Chemistry & Food Analysis – 10%

++++

Why was the CFS developed?

Food science professionals and their supervisors wanted it.In a 2009 profession-wide study, nearly 70% of food science supervisors said a food science certification was needed, and would help employers identify qualified personnel. Additionally:

· 70% of supervisors agreed that IFT should develop a CFS to recognize food scientists’ applied knowledge and to help employers identify qualified personnel

· 2/3 of supervisors indicated it would benefit the food industry, and 72% agreed that the program would increase the stature and visibility of the profession

· Almost 3/4 of supervisors indicated at least one of their employees would likely apply to become certified within the next five years

How was the CFS developed?

Food science professionals created it.The CFS exam was developed based on a statistically valid research study of more than 1,800 global food professionals.* A diverse team of experts also drafted and reviewed the exam questions.

It’s based on global standards.The CFS was developed consistent with the ISO/IEC 17024 global standard** for certification, and is awarded to applicants who pass a rigorous exam on the core professional competencies of a food scientist. For details on the research behind this certification, the administration process, and other aspects of the CFS, please visit ift.org/certification.

* Practice Analysis Research Study, April 2011.* *ISO/IEC 17024 standard: Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons

Cultivating top talent

Whether you’re a hiring manager or in human resources, professional certifications – like those for culinary, finance, food packaging, and other disciplines – can help you more efficiently evaluate the potential contributions and competencies of job candidates. IFT’s Certified Food Scientist credential helps you do the same. As the pool of CFS credential holders increases, the CFS can assist you in identifying individuals who have shown extra initiative to demonstrate their applied scientific knowledge. For professionals with food science or related science degrees.Potential job candidates often bring diverse educational backgrounds – from food science to chemical engineering to nutrition. Through the CFS, professionals with related science degrees can now demonstrate their ability to apply their scientific expertise to the functions specific to the food and beverage industry. For scientists with food science degrees, the CFS is a professional development step that further demonstrates the applied food science knowledge they’ve learned on the job, as well as showcases their commitment to keeping their skills current and dedication to lifelong learning. In short, the CFS is a tool you can use to effectively recruit your organization’s next generation of food scientists, as well as support the professional development goals for your current team members.

How can your employees benefit from the CFS?

It showcases their applied knowledge.By assessing employees’ practical knowledge and the real-world abilities necessary in the food science profession, the CFS shows to you as an employer that credential holders have the applied skills and knowledge to excel at their jobs, whether their degree or experience is in food science or in a related science. Becoming a CFS helps differentiate food professionals within their peer group.

It indicates a commitment to lifelong learning.Staying current on the latest food science developments helps both employees and the field evolve. The CFS complements both academic learning and work experience by reinforcing the importance of continuing education, enabling employees to demonstrate their commitment both to their profession and to your organization.

It can provide benefits at virtually any career stage.Early in a professional’s career, the CFS can be a critical step in helping to establish a career in the food industry, and can serve to differentiate candidates from a field of applicants. As their career progresses, the CFS enhances academic backgrounds and work experience by formally recognizing an employee’s contributions and ability to stay current within the evolving field of food science.

=Foundational Science

Knowledge

On-the-jobExperience/ Knowledge

Exam+ + *** Food technology, food processing, food engineering or commodities (meat, poultry, dairy)† Agricultural sciences, physical and chemical sciences, life sciences (biology, nutrition, microbiology,

medicine, culinary science) and engineering (chemical, food, biological, process)