Inside the World of a QA Technologist: Ensuring Food Safety and Quality

Dec 13, 2024

Editor's Note: "At Modern Opulent Gazette, we thrive on uncovering the extraordinary in the everyday. Enter Career Spotlight, our new series dedicated to shining a light on the hidden gems of the professional world. This series is all about the fun, creative, and analytical roles that may not always take centre stage but are undeniably integral to the industries they serve. Join us as we explore the careers you didn’t know you needed to know."

In the food industry, the roles of chefs and nutritionists often steal the spotlight. Yet behind every meal served, there’s a dedicated team ensuring what ends up on your plate is safe, high-quality, and trustworthy. Enter the Quality Assurance (QA) Technologist, a role that plays a critical part in food safety but often goes unnoticed.

To truly explore the intricate world of QA technology, who better to guide us than an expert in the field? Meet Katleho Lekhela, a trailblazing QA Technologist whose dedication and expertise shaping the future of quality assurance.

What Does a QA Technologist Do?

At its core, a QA Technologist’s role revolves around compliance, safety, and quality assurance. These professionals are the gatekeepers of food products, ensuring everything that reaches the consumer meets rigorous safety and quality standards.

Katleho Lekhela, a dedicated QA Technologist, is one of these gatekeepers. “Every day is about verifying compliance—whether it’s checking raw materials for hazards, ensuring allergen management protocols are followed, or verifying that packaging meets specifications,” she shares. From monitoring General Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to halting production lines when necessary, the role demands vigilance and precision.

For Katleho, it’s not just about maintaining standards; it’s about building trust. When you pick up a product from the shelf, know that a QA Technologist has meticulously ensured that it meets the highest standards of safety and quality.

Katleho’s career path to QA Technology wasn’t a straight line. Growing up in Katlehong, Johannesburg, she initially aspired to pursue a medical career. However, during a high school career day, she was introduced to Biotechnology, which shifted her academic focus.

After completing her degree in Biotechnology, she interned at one of South Africa’s leading poultry suppliers, where she stumbled upon QA Technology. “It was a steep learning curve,” she recalls, “but I had incredible mentors who guided me.” Within six months, her dedication earned her an award, and by the end of her internship, she had secured for herself a permanent role.

What Skills Set a QA Technologist Apart ?

To succeed in QA Technology, a strong scientific foundation is essential. Degrees in Biotechnology, Food Technology, or Microbiology are great starting points, as are certifications like HACCP and FSSC 22000. But as Katleho notes, technical skills alone aren’t enough.

“Communication, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with various departments are equally critical,” she emphasises . QA Technologists often work alongside teams in engineering, R&D, and finance to ensure quality standards are met across the board.

QA Technology isn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles she faces is balancing safety and quality with production goals. “The production team often sees me as the ‘opponent’ because they focus on hitting targets, while my focus is on ensuring product quality and safety,” she explains.

Despite the challenges, the rewards are clear. “There’s nothing like walking into a store or restaurant and seeing a product you helped ensure meets the highest standards. It’s a tangible reminder of why this work matters,” she adds.

The future of QA is promising, with innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) on the horizon. “AI has the potential to streamline processes, minimize risks, and make food production safer and more efficient,” Katleho predicts. As she transitions into a Research and Development role(A new role she started this month) , she remains passionate about driving innovation in the industry.

Advice to High School Self

If Katleho could talk to her high school self, she would offer one simple piece of advice: “Embrace the journey and don’t compare your progress to others.”

She recalls how she struggled when she couldn’t go straight to university after matriculating because she needed to upgrade her marks. “I felt like my life was delayed, but now I realize that life isn’t a race,” she says. Her experience has shown her that everything happens in its own time, and every step shapes the person you’re meant to become.

Surprising Aspects of QA Technology

Katleho says that most of the time people are surprised by QA Technology’s breadth and impact. “Quality assurance isn’t just confined to food—it spans industries from banking to software,” she says. “In the food industry, QA Technologists are integral to ensuring that every product meets rigorous standards before reaching consumers.”

One aspect that catches people off guard is the collaboration between QA Technologists and other departments like engineering, R&D, and finance. “It’s a role that combines science, precision, and teamwork,” she adds.

For those considering a career in QA Technology, Katleho’s advice is straightforward: “Get a strong science education and take advantage of internships or entry-level roles to gain practical experience.” Networking, attending career days, and conducting research are also great ways to learn more about this career path.

Her advice to aspiring professionals is to remember that it’s okay to take a winding path. “Choosing a career isn’t easy, and it might take a few detours to get where you want to be. But you crawl before you fly. If you’re doing a job you don’t like, you’ll wake up every day dreading going to work,” she says.

Why QA Technology Matters?

Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just curious about the process behind the food you consume, the role of a QA Technologist offers a fascinating blend of science, precision, and purpose.

This career is about more than maintaining standards—it’s about building trust, safeguarding consumers, and making a real impact on the world. QA Technologists are often the unsung heroes of the food industry, ensuring that every product meets rigorous safety and quality benchmarks before it reaches your table.

What’s more, the field offers various growth opportunities, from specializing in safety certifications to innovating with new technologies like artificial intelligence. If you’re someone who values attention to detail, enjoys problem-solving, and wants to play a critical role in food safety, this could be the perfect career for you. In QA Technology, every day is a chance to contribute to a safer and healthier world. It’s a role that touches millions of lives—making it a truly impactful career path.

So, if you have the curiosity, passion, and dedication, QA Technology could be your calling. It’s more than a job; it’s a chance to help shape the future of food safety and beyond.