The supermarket has revealed plans to invest in the future of food by tackling the critically low number of food technologists, who are essential to the grocer because they guarantee that safe, fresh and healthy food is sourced to sell in stores.
Food science graduates have halved in the past decade, with one in four jobs in the industry sitting vacant.
The Taste the World scheme will allow postgraduates to travel the world for up to 12 months, while learning the food trade. Successful graduates will work with suppliers and partners worldwide, from fruit growers in South America to fish markets in Australia and learn about sourcing fresh, safe and tasty food.
Sainsbury's head of product technology Liz Jarman said: 'The past three years have seen a massive turnaround in what supermarkets and suppliers are doing to clean up their acts to make food healthier and to feed the nation.
'We wanted to come up with an interesting way of attracting the best people to the business, because they'll help shape the future of food.'
University of Reading professor Christine Williams said: 'Encouraging graduates to become interested in food technology is crucial to the industry and ultimately the future of Britain's health.
'It seems quite ironic that despite the UK becoming a nation of foodies, there has been a decrease in people wanting to become food experts. We hope this scheme whets their appetite to join the industry.'
Sainsbury's is working closely with a number of universities around the UK to help implement the scheme.
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