Food safety and quality are essential to the success of all food manufacturing companies and critical for New Zealand’s economic success. Why? Because food manufacturers need absolute confidence in the safety and quality of their products. To work in this exciting field, students can choose to study full time or part time with a programme supported with an on-line learning environment.

In big demand by employers around the world

Internationally, food safety is a growth industry.

Food companies have a growing need for expertise in food safety and quality. If they do not have this expertise themselves, consultants with the relevant qualifications provide them with services. You have the opportunity to start your own consultancy business or to work for the government department overseeing food safety in your country. In New Zealand, the government department is the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Internationally recognised and unique

Massey University is ranked as one of the top 50 universities worldwide for Food Science & Technology (out of 300), according to ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

We have been producing highly-skilled graduates for the New Zealand and international food industries for more than 50 years. The lecturers have extensive industry experience supported by a strong academic research base.

Massey University also hosts the New Zealand Food Safety Centre with access to the latest expertise in food safety.

Work on real food industry issues

The Master in Food Safety and Quality provides practical skills and a depth of knowledge to enable you to manage problems in food manufacturing and develop preventative tools designed to provide confidence in the quality and safety of food.

World-leading facilities

At Massey University, you have access to the latest modern food processing and analytical equipment to undertake research that is applied and practical to the food industry including:

• A fully equipped pilot plant operating under a risk management programme to enable the export of foods of assured safety and quality
• Specialist equipment for both thermal and non-thermal processing
• Laboratories equipped to analyse microbial, chemical and foreign matter contaminants, including a PC2 laboratory enabling you to work with foodborne pathogens
• Instruments to measure food composition

Massey guarantees you research expertise in meat, fish and dairy technology, fruit and vegetable postharvest storage and processing, food formulation, additives and ingredients.

Graduates of Massey’s Master of Food Safety and Quality have many opportunities to capitalise on the demands of the global food industry. There is steady growth internationally for experts in the management of food safety and quality in government departments, the food industry, and in consultancy and regulatory organisations. These significant careers span auditing, crisis management, training and establishing risk management systems.

Rapid progression to management

With a Massey Master of Food Safety and Quality, you can expect to launch your career at a reasonably high level of responsibility in a leadership role. The programme gives you the potential to lead to senior management roles or establishing your own business as a consultant.

A path to more in depth research

The Massey Master of Food Safety and Quality positions you to deal with new challenges and develop smart solutions for tomorrow’s problems. The food industry is dynamic and with that comes the need for research in innovative and effective methods in food assurance.