Name | From | Duration | Cost | Enroll link |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health | Coursera | 7 hrs | Free | Enroll Now |
2. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Nutrition | Udemy | 4.5 hrs | Paid | Enroll Now |
3. Introduction to Food and Health | EDX | 1 week | Free | Enroll Now |
What is food science and technology?
Food science and technology is the study of food and its composition. It includes the study of food production, food processing, food packaging, and distribution. Food science and technology also include the study of food safety and quality.
What are the job opportunities for food technology?
The best career options after studying food science and technology are:
- Food Technologist.
- Nutritional Therapist.
- Product development scientist
- Food Safety Officer
- Food Science Expert
- Nutritionist.
- Food Science and Nutrition Expert
5 Best Free Food Science and Technology Courses Online 2023
List of food science and technology online certificate classes:
#1. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health

From: Coursera
This is a 100% online and self-paced beginner-level course that provides a shareable certificate after completing the program.
Through this free online food health and safety course, you will learn the practical skills you need to begin optimizing your way of eating.
You will learn the essential elements of food science and food technologies. About proper nutrients, natural, good-quality food, and how it will help the human body protect itself from diseases.
Lastly, you will learn the tools that are very helpful to distinguish between foods that will support your health.
What You’ll Learn from This Course:
- Background on Food and Nutrients
- Contemporary trends in eating
- Future Directions in Health: Part I and Part II
- Cooking Workshop
Course Duration: approximately 7 hours
Cost: Free
Certificate of completion: Yes
Rating: 4.7/5
Enrolled students: 862,418 students
Enroll in this Course >> [Most Recommended]
#2. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Nutrition

From: Udemy
Through this online food science and nutrition course, you will learn how food science and nutrition help us understand and gather knowledge about the world of food.
You can explore food’s fascinating journey from the farm to the human body. You will learn how food processing can make food healthier and how to develop new food products that are full of nutrition.
Also, you’ll learn about macro and micronutrients and how they can help human bodies. And learn about the new technologies in food science.
What You’ll Learn from This Course:
- How food molecules perform different important functions in your body
- How new food products are developed and optimized to appeal to the target consumer base
- The importance of nutrition and the impact of different public health initiatives around the world
- The process of digestion and the biochemical pathways of food in the body
- The health benefits of different foods
Course Duration: 4.5 hours
Certificate of completion: Yes
Cost: Paid
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Enrolled students: 57,930 students
#3. Introduction to Food and Health

From: Edx
Basically, this free food science online course is designed for the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Because most people nowadays are surviving health crises.
After completing this course, you’ll learn different practical approaches to supporting healthy eating for a variety of medical reasons. You’ll get to learn about nutritional practices and assess barriers to healthy eating.
And also learn the nutritional values of foods. Then, you’ll gain knowledge about the most important foods that are very helpful for the human body.
What You’ll Learn from This Course:
- Learn the fundamental principles of nutrition.
- You learn about nutritional practices and assess barriers to healthy eating.
- You can learn about the most important foods that are very helpful for the human body.
- Learn about the different foods that are helpful as medicines in our body.
Course Duration: Approx. 1 week
Certificate of completion: Yes
Cost: Free
Enrolled students: 42,270 students
#4. Online Food Science M.S. (Non-Thesis)

Through this online non-thesis Master of Science in Food Science degree program, you will learn the principles of science and engineering that are very helpful for the quantity, quality, variety, attractiveness, and safety of foods.
To complete this food science online degree course, you will take a total of 32 hours of coursework, and then you can successfully pass the final examination.
During this online program, you will learn about food safety, personal hygiene, and the nutritional aspects of food. And learn about the different types of foods that are very good for our health. Also, you’ll learn how to avoid food poisoning and identify good-quality foods.
What You’ll Learn from This Course:
- You will know about food safety and personal hygiene.
- Know the different types of foods that are very good for our health.
- Learn to avoid food poisoning.
- Learn to check the quality or safety of food.
Course Duration: approximately 32 hours
Certificate of completion: Yes
#5. Introductory Food Science and Technology Certificate Program

Through this certificate course in food science and technology, you will gain an exact overview of food components, nutrition, food manufacturing, and food safety.
Also, know the essential elements of food science and technology. Then you learn about food regulations, foodborne illness, and food safety systems.
And learn about the major food components, like fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and all the nutritional sources. And know about the important aspects of food manufacturing like presentation, processing, packaging, etc.
What You’ll Learn from This Course:
- Get an exact overview of food components, nutrition, food manufacturing, and food safety
- Learn about the essential elements of food science and food technology.
- Know about the major food components.
- You can learn about the important aspects of food manufacturing.
- Learn about foodborne illnesses, the food safety process, and how to handle them.
Course Duration: 40–50 hours
Certificate of completion: Yes
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or seeking an in-depth understanding of food science and its impact on health, these courses cater to different skill levels.
They provide insights into nutrition, food safety, health implications, and the broader landscape of food technology.
So, dive into these courses to boost your knowledge about food and its impact on our lives. Happy learning and exploring the fascinating world of food science!
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
What qualifications do you need to be a food scientist?
If you want to become a food scientist, you first need to complete a certificate course in food science and technology. After that, you can take a job in any food laboratory to build up your technical skills and quality knowledge.
And after gathering enough experience in this field, you’ll be eligible to work as a food scientist. This is the ultimate road map to becoming a successful food scientist.Which certificate course is best for food technology?
These are some of the best certificate courses for food technology: Advanced Cooking and Technical Certificate, MSC (Masters of Science) in Food Technology, BTech (Bachelor of Technology) in Food Technology, and BSC (Bachelor of Science) in Food Technology.