Food Technology

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Fueling Innovation in Food Technology

The world of food science is evolving, are you ready to be part of the change? BCIT’s Food Technology programs blend hands-on training with industry-driven expertise, equipping you with the skills to drive innovation, ensure food safety, and enhance product quality. Whether you’re entering the industry or upskilling for career growth, our programs are designed to get you job-ready in a thriving, essential sector.

Why choose Food Technology at BCIT?

Gain practical skills, expert training, and industry connections to launch a career in food safety, processing, and innovation. Our programs prepare you for real-world success in this growing field.

Industry-Ready Training

Gain practical experience in food safety, quality control, and processing techniques.

Flexible Learning Options

Programs designed to accommodate both students and working professionals.

Career Advancement

Stand out with specialized certifications, diplomas, and microcredentials.

Find the right Food Technology Program for you

Explore your options in Food Technology. Whether you’re looking for a full diploma, industry certification, or specialized training in food safety, BCIT offers programs tailored to your goals.

Program Name	Description
Microcredential in Food Safety Management	This course will prepare food plant personnel to perform internal audits to determine if the food manufacturer’s food safety and quality program is being implemented such that it effectively meets required standards.
Microcredential in Food Safety Preventive Controls and HACCP Plans	This microcredential prepares students to develop and implement the HACCP-based food safety programs that are required by food manufacturers.

Gain the skills and credentials to work in the dairy industry with BCIT’s two-part Dairy Processing program.

Course Number	Description
FOOD 1151 Dairy Processing	This course covers dairy chemistry, microbiology, milk processing, sanitation, and vat/HTST pasteurization—meeting education requirements for the BC Dairy Plant Worker License and Alberta Pasteurizer Operator License.
FOOD 2151 Dairy Processing Workshop	This Course builds on these fundamentals with hands-on training in pasteurization, cheese making, equipment inspection, sanitation, and HACCP practices. Flexible online learning combined with practical experience prepares you for licensing and career success in the dairy sector.

BCIT’s Flexible Learning courses in food technology are designed for busy people who want to grow their knowledge without pausing their careers or personal lives.

Whether you’re already working in the food industry or exploring a new passion, our part-time courses offer industry-relevant training that fits into your schedule. Learn from experienced instructors and move toward your career goals, one evening or weekend at a time. These courses can be taken as stand-alone courses or can be combined to earn a credential.

Course Name	Description
Food Microbiology – Food 1026	This course explores the role of microbes in food production, spoilage, and foodborne illnesses, with a focus on microbial control strategies to extend shelf life and ensure food safety. Topics include food microbiology fundamentals, cleaning and sanitation practices, and facility management considerations for food processing environments.
Dairy Processing Food 1151	Introduces the technical aspects of dairy processing, and is the first component of required training for the Dairy Plant Worker License issued by the BC Centre for Disease Control. Topics include dairy chemistry and microbiology, on-farm production, raw milk receiving, fluid milk processing, cultured product manufacture, and sanitation.
Preventative Controls Food 1179	If you are responsible for developing, implementing, or verifying a HACCP-based preventive control plan (or HACCP Program) in a food manufacturing establishment, this course will help you interpret and apply preventive controls (formerly Prerequisite Programs) which form the foundation of a food safety program that meets Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are presented as the primary means by which to implement these preventive controls (including those related to the facility, personnel, sanitation, equipment, shipping, receiving and storage, purchasing, recall, and allergens, among others).
HACCP for Preventive Control Plans Food 1189	Based on the seven HACCP Principles, you are taken step-by-step through the development of a HACCP Plan for your preventive control plan by engaging in a case study. The four preliminary steps to HACCP, including developing a product description and process flow diagram will be examined.
Dairy Processing Workshop Food 2151	Building on the basic principles of dairy processing learned in FOOD 1151, this course furthers our understanding of pasteurization techniques and fail-safe design, and examines fluid milk, cheese, and other dairy product processes in detail.
HACCP: Environmental Monitoring Food 2161	Learn to implement and value an active environmental monitoring plan to achieve product safety and confidence. Building on the basic principles of HACCP, microbiology, and processing found in FOOD 1179, environmental monitoring plans, and current and past practices are examined in detail, including bacterial enumeration, data trending and recording, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and sanitation.
HACCP: Internal Auditing Food 2163	Internal Auditing is an essential tool for HACCP Program verification. Participants prepare and practice using an Audit Checklist by role-playing in a CCP operation audit interview scenario. Effective communication skills and questioning techniques are emphasized throughout the course.
Internal Auditor Training Food 2170	Alternative course to Food 2163. This course will prepare food plant personnel to perform internal audits to determine if the food manufacturer’s food safety and quality program is being implemented such that it effectively meets required standards. The student will learn how to prepare the audit, collect audit evidence, evaluate the audit evidence to determine conformance, write the final audit report and prepare Corrective Action Requests for the management team.

Industry Services:

Partner with Food Technology

Our Food Technology programs are actively engaged with industry leaders, providing tailored solutions, specialized training, and innovative project collaborations designed to meet your unique business needs.

Customized Industry Training

Collaborative Student Projects

Tailored Training Solutions: Access specialized courses developed to address your team’s

real-world challenges from food safety procedures to crisis management (e.g. managing listeria outbreaks)

Key Benefits Include:

Custom content aligned to your operational needs delivered on-site or virtually
Fast development and delivery timelines
Ongoing support to meet industry standards

Simple Application Process: Easily submit your project details through our straightforward online form.

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Real-World Solutions: Engage our talented Food Tech students to tackle your company’s practical challenges.

Project examples include:

Shelf-life and stability testing
Innovative packaging design and selection
Nutrition, analysis and nutrient fact labeling

Simple Application Process: Easily submit your project details through our straight forward online form.

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Testimonial

I choose to study Food Tech studies at BCIT because I wanted to utilize both my past educational experience in sciences and my interest in cooking. As with most programs at BCIT the practical labs were the most enjoyable aspect but I also really enjoyed the Product Development course in second year, which is what I am aiming for late in my career.

Andrew Williamson, BCIT Food Technology Grad

Food Processing, Safety, and Quality Info Session June 2025

Latest Info Session

Note: This information session was held in May, 2024 Content in is subject to change.

BCIT Food Technology

Explore hands-on training, industry connections, and career opportunities in food science and processing.

Program Name	Description
Diploma in Food Processing, Safety, and Quality	BCIT grads are set up to enter a career in food technology the moment they graduate. They can also keep studying to further advance their career.