Testers and graders, food and beverage processing

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.

Job titles

  • bacon grader
  • beef grader
  • beer bottling line quality control tester
  • beer tester
  • beverage and bottle inspector
  • beverage inspector

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2025 edition

Annual salary

Low

$40,572

Median

$50,473

High

$64,878

Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 36.45

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

132

expected 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

  • No 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.

Beneficial post-secondary programs (not required)

Adult Upgrading Education Programs

Learn more

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