Food fact: The Institute of Food Science and Technology of Ireland is the professional body of food scientists and technologists. Tel (01) 621 2303 or e-mail: markmcdonald@eircom.net

Salaries for food science graduates are approximately between £14,000 to £16,000 per annum. This rises to about £20,000 per annum after three or four years.

Industry: The agri-food sector provides employment for 134,000 people and exports products which are worth in excess of £5 billion per annum.