Memberships

SAAFoST members are employed in various positions in the food industry as well as associated companies in the food value chain. Members who have trained as food scientists or technologists but do not qualify as professional members, may apply for an upgrade after gaining 4 - 6 years of experience in the industry. All members benefit from the interaction with other members and companies as well as various events and workshops. Members commit to uphold the SAAFoST Code of Conduct.

Student Members study full-time courses of a technical, practical or scientific discipline, mainly in food science and technology and related fields at tertiary education institutes in South Africa. Annual membership requires proof of student registration. Bursaries can be applied for; several awards are available and various events like career days are solely organised for them. The MySAAFoST branch organises events and webinars aimed at young professionals and students and all SAAFoST events are also open for student attendance at reduced prices.

Postgraduate members study full-time postgraduate courses in the technical, practical or scientific fields; mostly in Food Science or Technology (MSc and PhD). Their research may be submitted for publication in the FST-magazine and for presentation at congresses for which two awards are available. Annual membership requires proof of post graduate registration. Available bursaries are nominated for by the tertiary institutions. The MySAAFoST branch organises events and webinars aimed at young professionals and students and all SAAFoST events are also open for student attendance at reduced prices.

SAAFoST professional members have obtained at minimum a four-year degree in a food science and technology or related field and qualify for registration or have registered as a natural scientist. CPD points can be earned through SAAFoST membership, reading of the FST-magazine, attending various events, webinars, workshops and congresses, joining mentorship programmes as well as serving on branch or council committees. Professional members also commit to uphold the SAAFoST Code of Conduct: https://www.saafost.org.za/about/code-of-conduct/​

Professional Members of SAAFoST are available to the food industry as consultants. All are Registered Natural Scientists or are registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) or the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). All have been Professional Members of SAAFoST for at least five years and are in good standing with the Association.

International SAAFoST members and professional members are employed in various positions in tertiary education and the food industry as well as associated companies in the food value chain. They benefit from the interaction with other SAAFoST members and companies via webinars, events, workshops and congresses. Members commit to uphold the SAAFoST Code of Conduct: https://www.saafost.org.za/about/code-of-conduct/​

Retired members have been long-standing paid-up members of SAAFoST, with a minimum of twelve years before retirement. Requests to be made a retired member need to be addressed to the Membership Officer, who will proceed with approval. Retired members are exempt from annual membership fees but enjoy the full benefits of SAAFoST membership.

Retired professional members have been long-standing paid-up members of SAAFoST, with a minimum of twelve years before retirement. Requests to be made a retired member need to be addressed to the Membership Officer, who will proceed with approval. Retired members are exempt from annual membership fees but enjoy the full benefits of SAAFoST membership.