MS in Food Safety Regulation
Program Overview
The average household spends 13% of its annual budget on food. About 11% of total jobs in the United States—and 14% of manufacturing jobs—are in the food and agriculture industry. Food safety regulation is undoubtedly crucial to public health.
To protect people from foodborne illness and other hazards, food safety regulation specialists set and enforce standards, provide professional training and consumer education, and track and report recalls and outbreaks.
A Closer Look at Food Safety Regulation
Food safety regulation is a broad field covering everything from agriculture, imports, and food production to college cafeterias, food trucks, and vending machines. Here are just a few examples of processes you’d find inspected or monitored:
- Seed selection
- Fertilization
- Pest control
- Harvesting
- Storage and transport
- Food processing and production
- Labeling and advertising
- Handling, preparing, and serving
A variety of government agencies are responsible for setting (and enforcing) food safety standards, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Advance Your Career in Food Safety Regulation
A master’s degree in Food Safety Regulation will prepare you for administration, scientific, or leadership positions, including:
- Food safety regulatory specialist
- Food safety manager/director
- Food safety consultant
- Consumer safety officer/technician
- Health communications manager
- Quality assurance technician/manager
- Plant quality and safety manager
- Science advisor
- Food scientist/R&D scientist
- Director of food services/dining operations
You can start or advance your food safety regulation career somewhere like the FDA, USDA, EPA, or within a state or local department of health. Food-related trade and professional organizations may also offer a variety of relevant career options.
Expand Your Knowledge
The MS in Food Safety Regulation degree can also serve as a foundation for law school or advanced studies in public health. Or it could allow you to take existing health, production, research, legal, or life sciences career in a new direction.
Study on Your Terms
You don’t need to relocate or rearrange your work schedule to earn a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. Our MS in Food Safety Regulation program is available 100% online.
Who You’ll Learn From
Studying Food Safety Regulation at JHU
Expert Faculty Members
Your student experience will be led by faculty with decades of collective experience in public health, food safety monitoring, and policymaking.
Academic Excellence Meets Flexibility
Explore food safety regulation inside-out, from toxicology and microbiology to production practices, packaging, and labeling. Select elective classes that fit your goals, such as Food and Drug Law, Infectious Disease, or Bioethics.
Successful Global Alumni Network
Enrolling at Johns Hopkins University means joining a large community of public health, business, and research professionals who are making a difference in agencies, organizations, companies, and communities around the world.

Susan Zecchini ’09Although the studies are challenging, this program was manageable with my busy work schedule. The professors are supportive and well-versed in their areas of expertise.
Biotechnology News
Take the Next Step
Ensure compliance with the complex laws and regulations governing the food and beverage industries with an online master’s degree in food safety regulation from Johns Hopkins University.