The market is estimated to reach a value of US$ 21.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to soar to US$ 31.1 billion by 2030, demonstrating a tremendous compound annual growth rate of 8.1% from 2022 to 2027. The global food safety testing market is a rapidly growing industry that is driven by increasing concerns over food safety and quality. Food safety testing refers to the process of testing food products for the presence of contaminants, pathogens, or other harmful substances that could pose a threat to human health.

The market for food safety testing is expected to continue growing in the coming years due to factors such as the increasing incidence of foodborne illnesses, rising consumer awareness about food safety, and the implementation of stricter food safety regulations by governments around the world.

Some of the key players in the global food safety testing market include companies like SGS SA, Eurofins Scientific, Intertek Group plc, Bureau Veritas S.A., and ALS Limited. These companies provide a range of testing services and solutions, including microbiological testing, chemical testing, and allergen testing.

Geographically, the market for food safety testing is spread across regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the coming years due to the increasing adoption of food safety testing by food manufacturers and regulatory authorities in countries such as China and India.

Market Dynamics

Driving Factors

There are several driving factors behind the growth of the global food safety testing market, including:

Globalization of the food supply: With the globalization of the food supply, food products are being sourced from all over the world. This has created a greater need for food safety testing to ensure that imported food products meet the same safety standards as domestically produced products.

Technological advancements: Advancements in technology have made food safety testing more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective. New technologies such as next-generation sequencing, rapid pathogen detection systems, and blockchain-based traceability systems are helping to improve food safety testing and prevent contamination in the food supply.

Restraining Factors

The global food safety testing market is growing rapidly, there are also several restraining factors that may affect its growth, including:

Lack of skilled personnel: Food safety testing requires skilled personnel with specialized training in microbiology, chemistry, and other related fields. The shortage of skilled personnel can limit the capacity of laboratories to conduct food safety testing and may also impact the accuracy and reliability of testing results.

Stringent regulatory approval processes: The regulatory approval process for food safety testing products can be lengthy and complex, which can delay the introduction of new products to the market. This can limit the pace of innovation in the industry and may also limit the growth of the market.

Challenges Factors

There are several challenges that the global food safety testing market faces, including:

Limited resources: Food safety testing requires significant resources, including funding, personnel, and equipment. Some countries or regions may lack the necessary resources to implement effective food safety testing programs, which can lead to gaps in the food safety system.

Rapidly changing regulations: Food safety regulations are constantly evolving, and it can be difficult for companies to keep up with the latest requirements. This can create challenges for companies in terms of compliance, and it can also create inconsistencies in food safety testing methods and results across different regions or countries.

Opportunity Factors

There are several opportunities for growth and innovation in the global food safety testing market, including:

Emerging markets: Emerging markets, particularly in Asia and Africa, are experiencing rapid economic growth and urbanization, leading to a growing demand for safe and high-quality food products. This presents an opportunity for food safety testing companies to expand into these markets and develop new testing methods and technologies that meet the unique needs and challenges of these markets.

Collaboration and partnerships: Collaboration and partnerships between food safety testing companies, government agencies, and other stakeholders can help to drive innovation and improve food safety testing practices. By working together, these stakeholders can share knowledge, resources, and expertise, leading to the development of new testing methods and technologies that improve food safety and quality for consumers.

Segmentation Analysis

By Technology, the market can be segmented into traditional technologies and rapid technologies. Rapid technologies are expected to hold the largest market share due to their ability to provide quick and accurate results.

By End User the market can be segmented into food manufacturers, government agencies, third-party laboratories, and others. Food manufacturers are expected to hold the largest market share due to the increasing need for food safety testing to comply with food safety regulations and maintain consumer trust.

Application Outlook

The demand for food safety testing is expected to increase across all application segments due to the increasing incidence of foodborne illnesses, the strict food safety regulations, and the growing awareness of food safety among consumers. The meat, poultry, and seafood segment is expected to hold the largest market share due to the high risk of contamination in these products, followed by the dairy segment and processed foods segment.

Regional Analysis

The North American market is one of the largest food safety testing markets in the world. The region has a well-established food safety regulatory framework, and there is a high level of awareness among consumers about food safety issues. The region is also home to several leading food safety testing companies, and there is a high level of investment in research and development to develop new testing methods and technologies.

Europe is another significant market for food safety testing, with a well-developed regulatory framework and a high level of consumer awareness about food safety issues. The region is home to several leading food safety testing companies, and there is a growing focus on developing new testing methods and technologies to address emerging contaminants and food fraud.

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid economic growth and urbanization, leading to a growing demand for safe and high-quality food products. The region is home to several emerging markets, including China, India, and Japan, and there is a growing focus on improving food safety standards and regulatory frameworks. There is also a growing demand for innovative testing methods and technologies that can address the unique challenges of the region.

Scope Of Report:

The Global Food Safety Testing Market has been segmented into:

By Test

• Allergen Testing
• Chemical & Nutritional Testing
• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Testing
• Microbiological Testing
• Residues & Contamination Testing
• Others

By Application

• Meat, Poultry, & Seafood Product
• Dairy & Dairy Products
• Processed Food
• Beverages
• Cereals & Grains

Market Players 

The global food safety testing market is highly competitive and fragmented, with numerous players vying for market share. Some of the key companies in the market are:

• SGS S.A.
• Eurofins Scientific
• Intertek Group plc
• Bureau Veritas S.A.
• ALS Ltd.
• Mérieux NutriSciences
• AsureQuality Ltd. 

SGS is a leading global provider of inspection, verification, testing, and certification services. The company offers a wide range of food safety testing services, including microbiological testing, chemical testing, and allergen testing.

Eurofins is a leading provider of food safety testing services, with a focus on microbiology, chemistry, and molecular biology. The company offers a wide range of testing services for various food products, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and processed foods.

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions to a wide range of industries, including food and agriculture. The company offers a range of food safety testing services, including chemical analysis, microbiological analysis, and allergen testing.

Bureau Veritas is a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services. The company offers a range of food safety testing services, including chemical and microbiological analysis, and specializes in testing for emerging contaminants and food fraud.

ALS Limited is a global provider of laboratory testing services, including food safety testing. The company offers a wide range of testing services for various food products, including microbiology, chemistry, and sensory testing.

Other major players in the market include Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation, Asurequality Ltd., Microbac Laboratories, Inc., and TUV SUD AG. These companies are investing heavily in research and development to develop new testing methods and technologies, and are also expanding their geographical presence through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

Strategic Developments

In February 2021, Bureau Veritas announced the acquisition of Shenzhen Total-Test Technology Co. Ltd., a Chinese food testing company specializing in microbiology, chemical and physical analysis, and inspection services. This acquisition will enable Bureau Veritas to expand its food testing services in China.

In September 2020, Eurofins announced the acquisition of Analytical Food Laboratories (AFL), a leading food testing company based in the United States. This acquisition will strengthen Eurofins' position in the North American food testing market.

In August 2020, SGS acquired Vanguard Sciences Inc., a food safety testing company based in the United States. This acquisition will enable SGS to expand its food safety testing capabilities in North America.

In May 2020, AsureQuality, a New Zealand-based food safety testing company, announced a partnership with US-based AgroFresh Solutions to provide food safety testing and quality assurance services to the fresh produce industry.

In February 2020, Eurofins announced the acquisition of Tsing Hua Testing & Analysis Co., Ltd., a leading food testing company in Taiwan. This acquisition will enable Eurofins to expand its food safety testing services in Asia-Pacific.