What do you have to become a food inspector?

* A bachelor's degree in food science, biology, chemistry, or a related field

Experience

* At least 1 year of experience in the food industry

Training

* 40 hours of food safety training, including:

* Basic food safety concepts

* Food plant inspections

* Food sampling

* Foodborne illness investigation

Certification

* In some states, you may need to be certified by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

Personal qualities

* Attention to detail

* Observation skills

* Communication skills

* Teamwork skills

* Computer skills

Some specific job duties of a food inspector include:

* Inspecting food establishments to ensure they comply with food safety laws and regulations

* Taking samples of food and performing laboratory tests to check for harmful bacteria

* Investigating foodborne illness outbreaks

* Providing food safety education to the public