Overview
Testers and graders in food and beverage processing test or grade ingredients and finished food or beverage products to ensure conformance to company standards. They are employed in fruit and vegetable processing plants, dairies, flour mills, bakeries, sugar refineries, fish plants, meat plants, breweries and other food and beverage processing plants.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Take samples of products at various stages of processing
Examine ingredients or finished products by sight, touch, taste and smell or weigh materials to ensure conformance to company standards
Conduct routine tests for product specifications such as colour, alcohol content, carbonation, moisture content, temperature, fat content and packaging
Grade or sort raw materials or finished products
Ensure hygiene and sanitation practices conform to policies and regulations
Advise supervisors of ingredient or product deficiencies.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$36,289
$50,910
$115,542
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
144expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Experience as a machine operator or labourer in the food or beverage processing industry may be required.
On-the-job training is usually provided.
Additional information
There is little mobility among the various types of testers and graders in this unit group.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.