Food Safety Testing Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Test Type (Pathogen, Genetically Modified Organism, Allergen, Chemical and pesticides, and Others), By Food Tested (Meat, Poultry & Seafood, Dairy Products, Processed Foods, Fruits & Vegetables, and Others), By Technology (Traditional and Rapid), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The food safety testing market size was valued at USD 19.81 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 21.25 billion in 2023 to USD 36.01 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.82% during the forecast period. North America dominated the food safety testing market with a market share of 44.42% in 2022. Moreover, the food safety testing market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 15.44 billion by 2032, driven by stringent regulations related to food safety and security in the country, coupled with the active presence of prominent market size players of the industry.

Food safety testing is a crucial part of the supply chain to ensure that the food is safe for human consumption. It is a scientific method of evaluating the microbiological, physical, or chemical composition of a food product and ensuring that the product is safe for human consumption. It is expected that by the year 2050, over 50% of the global population will rely on food imported from other countries. The growing pressure of feeding the increasing population will drive many countries across the world to grow their local food production.

Food trade is growing among countries either to fulfill their domestic needs due to limited agricultural output or to export excess food products to other countries and generate income from favorable trade activity. The growing need for imported food and beverages will create the demand for more safety testing procedures to support public health safety, which will positively impact market growth.

Food Safety Testing Market Trends

Development of Innovative Portable Food Testing Equipment to Support Market Growth

There is a growing demand for food safety testing devices with higher accuracy and portability among consumers. Traditionally, the inspection of adulterated food items requires access to food testing laboratories, which turns out to be costly and time-consuming. Owing to such challenges, the funds from both the government and private sectors supported technological advancements. They helped in developing the latest portable testing devices, which may minimize the overall cost of testing. These handheld devices can examine the samples on-site, thus avoiding the need for transportation to a quality testing laboratory.

Moreover, with the use of ultraviolet, infrared, or other combinations of sensors, these compact devices can easily detect adulterants, contaminants, and allergens in food items. For instance, in July 2023, Bia Analytical, a prominent leader of food authentication laboratories in the U.K., announced its partnership with trinamiX (specialist in cutting-edge sensors) to launch a portable testing solution that will be capable of identifying cases of food fraud. The testing device will be connected to an app, which will help in providing accurate and immediate results.

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COVID-19 IMPACT

Increased Imported and Domestic Food Testing During the Pandemic Supported the Market Growth

Food safety, before COVID-19, was not considered a major concern among consumers. However, during and after the pandemic, a shift in consumption patterns was recorded, which gave rise to consumers' increasing awareness about food safety. This resulted in increased consumer focus on infrastructure and services related to the food industry, especially those that deal in the food supply chain. At the beginning of the pandemic, the demand for food saw a substantial spike in the retail sector, resulting in empty shelves at stores. Countries strictly test all kinds of domestic and imported food products to ensure that its safe for consumption.

Food Safety Testing Market Growth Factors

Growing Cases of Food Fraud/Adulteration to Increase Demand for Food Safety Testing

Since a few years, food safety violations and adulterations have increased enormously across the globe. The proliferation of the food value chain has increased the complexities in a food product's journey until it reaches the store shelves. This has increased uncertainties in the food produced, leading to customers questioning the food product’s label and the ingredients packaged and further posing concerns regarding safety, product authenticity, and ingredient integrity. According to the Consumer Guidance Society of India, a non-profit organization, only 21% of the milk samples collected in Maharashtra complied with the standards set by the FSSAI. These factors are responsible for strengthening national regulations worldwide and causing prominent players in the food processing business to demand more efficient monitoring of food safety testing.

Increasing Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses Among People to Support Market Growth

The market is witnessing an upsurge, primarily due to the growing outbreak of foodborne illnesses across the globe. Foodborne diseases are mainly associated with the consumption of contaminated food (infected by different pathogens and toxins), which is becoming a major concern among consumers. Recent data stated that Salmonella, Shiga-toxin Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Shigella are the prominent causes of both the incidence and number of lab-confirmed foodborne illnesses in the U.S. Furthermore, growing consumer awareness of food safety and quality is also prompting the government to undertake major regulatory changes to ensure safety for the consumers. Moreover, the growing cases of adulteration to make a profit and procurement of food from unsafe sources increase the risk of foodborne ailments, thus fueling the demand for food safety testing procedures.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Equipment Costs and Limited Manpower Availability May Affect Market Growth

Some of the major factors responsible for impacting the market’s growth are the high cost of equipment and the lack of skilled manpower to operate such expensive machines. Traditional equipment, such as Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), and others, are highly advanced products and technical. These equipment require certified engineers for their upkeep and maintenance. Moreover, as most of these tools are imported, the availability of their maintenance centers is confined, specifically to Tier 1 and metropolitan cities, especially in developing markets such as India. Thus, this can lead to delays in offering service, leading to a major loss.

Food Safety Testing Market Segmentation Analysis

By Test Type Analysis

Pathogen Tests are Popular Owing to Growing Pathogen-Related Illnesses Among Consumers

The market is classified into pathogens, genetically modified organisms, allergens, chemicals and pesticides, and others based on test type.

Among these test types, the pathogen testing segment accounts for the majority of the market share. Pathogens are one of the prominent causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide. There is a growing necessity to investigate the presence of such organisms in food and reduce the incidence of food-related diseases, leading to increasing investment in pathogen testing of food products.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) testing of food products such as cereals, fruits, and vegetables has grown steadily in recent years. The number of GMO crops being grown worldwide is continuously increasing, prompting several countries to increase GMO testing of crops.                 

The majority of agricultural products and animal farms use different chemicals and pesticides to improve farm productivity and get better crop yield. Using such products in cattle and crops can lead to the buildup of chemical residue and negatively affect human health upon consumption. As there is a growing urgency to examine food items globally, the demand for pesticide and chemical residue testing is increasing rapidly. The market is projected to grow rapidly during the forecast period.

Higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, and processed foods is also prompting manufacturers to label their products indicating the presence of different allergens. Hence, investment in allergen testing has also grown in recent years, and the market is projected to grow steadily during the forecast period.

Other types of testing, such as determining the presence of additives and dyes in food products, is also growing rapidly across the globe.

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By Food Tested Analysis

Testing of Meat, Poultry, And Seafood to Rise Owing to Higher Consumption Of Protein-Rich Foods

Based on food tested, the market is segmented into meat, poultry & seafood, dairy products, processed foods, fruits & vegetables, and others.

The meat, poultry & seafood segment is predicted to account for the largest food safety testing market share during the forecast period. Meat, poultry & seafood are some of the major food products that are tested for any pathogen, chemical, or allergen to ensure that they are safe for human consumption. The demand for protein-rich food products, especially meat products, is increasing globally. Hence, the consumption of meat, poultry, and seafood is increasing in several countries across the world.

The testing of processed food products is also increasing rapidly in several countries. The market is projected to register the second fastest growth during the forecast period. With the rise in disposable income, changing dietary lifestyles, and urbanization, the consumption of packaged foods has increased significantly in recent years. Regulatory bodies worldwide are emphasizing chemical contaminant testing, microbiological safety testing, allergen testing, and other tests to ensure that food manufacturers comply with the labeling and packaging standards of processed and packed items.

Fruits and vegetables are yet another major food category whose consumption is increasing across the world. Fruits, including nuts, are becoming popular among consumers due to their high fiber and nutrition content. These products are becoming popular among vegan and vegetarian consumers as well. As chemicals and pesticides are mainly used for improving crop yield and killing pests, the testing of such products is growing in importance. The growing demand for natural food products is prompting several countries to test them for chemical residue, thus leading to strong growth in the future.

Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and butter are widely consumed in different countries and can contain different pathogens and chemical residues. Hence, the products are regularly tested, and the segment is expected to register steady growth in the future. Countries adopt stringent measures to check and ensure that they are safe for consumption. Among other products, cereals, spices, and honey are regularly traded and tested to ensure that they meet the safety standards established by the countries.

By Technology Analysis

Conventional Tests Accounts for Largest Market Share as They Generate Accurate Results 

Based on technology, the market is classified into rapid and conventional.

The conventional test segment accounts for a higher share of the market. These tests are generally time-consuming and require expensive instruments to generate conclusive results. They use culture media to isolate and grow the bacteria present in the food sample. Despite the time-consuming process, conventional tests offer higher accuracy than rapid tests.

Rapid testing of food products is gaining prominence in several countries worldwide as it is economical and generates results more quickly than other traditional tests. One of the major disadvantages associated with rapid tests is their lower level of accuracy than conventional tests. Hence, food test equipment manufacturers are investing in developing newer and faster methods to test and detect abnormalities in a particular food sample.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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The market value of North America stood at USD 8.80 billion in 2022 and is expected to hold a major market share during the forecast period. The U.S. is one of the prominent food-importing countries in the world, mainly due to its robust consumer demand and financial strength, which create an insatiable desire for an assorted range of international food commodities. In the U.S., food safety and security are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In North America, the U.S. imports the most seafood and poultry products. To control and regulate the quality of the seafood imported into the country, the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) requires that all meat sold commercially be scrutinized and approved to ensure that it is unadulterated, healthy, and properly branded.

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Europe is expected to grow at a stable pace during the forecast period. According to a recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40% of incidences of food contamination in Europe occur in households. Chemical safety issues include veterinary drug residues & pesticides, environmental pollutants, and mycotoxins, which are more prominently found in food safety testing. Incidents of excessive pesticide residues and acute poisoning caused by the use illegal veterinary drugs have affected the food industry significantly. The market players are engaged in the production and marketing of test kits and products to food producers to detect dangerous and unintended substances in food products. For seafood products, histamine tests are the most popular in the region. Some of the major companies operating in the food safety testing market in Europe are ALS Limited, NFS International, Eurofins Scientific, Tuv Sud, and Bureau Veritas.

The Asia Pacific market is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The food industry is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. In countries such as China, India, Japan, and others, which are among the most populous countries in the region, food safety testing becomes necessary as the import and domestic production of food are high in these countries. Some of the most notable government bodies governing food safety are FSSAI in India, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japan, and The State Council in China. Manufacturers anticipate that their customers will look for accreditation before purchasing the products. Hence, they are trying to achieve different certifications to address this consumer shift in purchasing behavior.

The market in South America and the Middle East & Africa is still at an early stage of growth, and the need for a robust food testing infrastructure is expected to increase in the future. Considering the urgent need for food safety and security, many organizations are working on improving the network of food safety labs in the region. African Food Safety Network (AFoSaN) is a group of laboratories that have come together to build food security control systems in African nations in partnership with other stakeholders. The early participants in this group were part of research and food safety projects supported by the IAEA in partnership with FAO and a few African countries. These laboratories work in coordination with each other and share information on food safety concerns, including analytical procedures, standard setting, risk analysis, consumer safety, and trade in foodstuff, among others.

List of Key Companies in Food Safety Testing Market

Key Industry Players to Focus on Acquisitions and Launch Of New Laboratories to Enhance Their Profit Margin

This market exhibits a moderately consolidated structure with a mix of large established players and smaller regional companies. The market is expected to continue to consolidate in the future as smaller companies are acquired by larger ones. Companies, such as SGS S.A., Eurofins Scientific S.E., Bureau Veritas, Intertek Group, and ALS Ltd. are focusing on mergers and acquisitions and establishing new laboratories to increase their footprint in the global marketplace. For instance, in November 2022, SGS S.A. announced the acquisition of Industry Lab, a Bucharest-based company. Industry Lab offers a comprehensive range of microbiological analysis services and will thus expand SGS’s food services and laboratory network in Europe.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• ALS Limited (Australia)


• AsureQuality Ltd (New Zealand)


• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.)


• Bureau Veritas (France)


• Deibel Laboratories (U.S.)


• Eurofins Scientific SE (Luxembourg)


• Intertek Group PLC Solutions (U.K.)


• Mérieux NutriSciences (U.S.)


• SGS S.A. (Switzerland)


• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023: Neogen Corporation, an international food safety company, launched a quantitative Elisa assay for the detection of walnut allergens.


• September 2023: Gold Standard Diagnostics Inc., a global provider of diagnostic test kits, lab consumables, automation solutions, and testing technologies, launched DNAllergen real-time PCR kits. The new technique enables the detection of some specific allergens.


• July 2023: Spectacular Labs Inc., a next-generation rapid pathogen testing company, planned to showcase a fast, accurate, and automated pathogen testing platform at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) 2023 Annual Meeting.


• May 2023:  Gold Standard Diagnostics Inc. announced the launch of new allergen lateral flow devices, which include SENSIStrip Beta-Lactoglobulin, SENSIStrip Fish, SENSIStrip Lupin, SENSIStrip Lysozyme, SENSIStrip Ovalbumin, and SENSIStrip Brazil Nut. The new product line is a comprehensive solution for fast and reliable allergen rapid testing.


• September 2022: Romer Labs, a global leader in advanced diagnostic solutions for food and feed safety, introduced an upgrade to the AgraStrip Pro Allergen test kits with a new application on the AgraVision Pro System. The new technical enhancement is designed to augment efficiency, precision, and data management in allergen testing.

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The report includes quantitative and qualitative insights into the market. It also offers a detailed regional analysis of the market share, market statistics, market trends, regional market forecast, and growth rate for all possible market segments. This market analysis report provides various key insights into the market, an overview of related markets, the competitive landscape, recent industry developments, such as mergers & acquisitions, the regulatory scenario in critical countries, and key industry trends.

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