The Current Situation and Future Prospects of the Food Safety and Hygiene Field in Terms of Occupational Positions and the Needs of the Society

Considering the needs of the society food safety and hygiene graduates can be employed in positions related to their field of study and provide services to solve the food safety and hygiene ‎problems at the community level. The aim of this research was to explain the current situation and future prospects of the food safety and hygiene field in terms of occupational positions and the needs of the society.

A descriptive and applied study was conducted with the time series analysis method regarding the current situation and the future perspective of the ‎ food safety and hygiene field ‎in terms of occupational positions and the society's need. A valid and reliable questionnaire was developed and used for data collection. In order to predict the future of the field, the time series statistical analysis method (Autoregressive integrated moving average =ARIMA) was used. In addition, its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified and analysed using the SWOT qualitative content analysis.

Analysis of the data obtained showed that the number of food safety and hygiene graduates has an increasing trend. The proportions of the graduates in relevant occupations, in non-relevant occupations and out of job were 48.00%, 24.75% and 27.25%, respectively. The data also revealed that this field of study had good strengths, so attempts should be made to increases them, reducing the weaknesses and threats, using the available and potential opportunities.

Based on the findings of this study the numbers of individuals accepted and graduated in the field of food safety and hygiene have an increasing trend, which are expected to continue in the next ten years. On the whole, the current moderate situation and the future perspective of the food safety and hygiene field in terms of the occupational positions and the society's need can be relatively favourable. In any case it is essential to make serious attempts continuously to maintain and promote this field of study.