+353-1-416-8900REST OF WORLD
+44-20-3973-8888REST OF WORLD
1-917-300-0470EAST COAST U.S
1-800-526-8630U.S. (TOLL FREE)

Food Testing Kits Market by Target Tested (Pathogens, Meat Species, GMOs, Allergens, Mycotoxins), Technology (PCR, Immunoassay & Enzyme Substrate based), Sample (Meat, Packaged Food, Cereals, Grains, Dairy & Nuts) & Region - Global Forecast to 2022

  • PDF Icon

    Report

  • 203 Pages
  • January 2018
  • Region: Global
  • Markets and Markets
  • ID: 4454664

The food testing kits market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2%

The global food testing kits market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.68 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach a value of USD 2.38 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 7.2%. The food testing kits market is driven by the increasing inclination of customers toward faster and reliable test results and implementation of strict food safety regulations due to the increase in the number of foodborne illnesses in developed countries. The growth in the market is also fueled by the globalization of food trade and growth in preference for on-site testing.

Implementation of heavy duty on import of test kits in various regions, lack of harmonization of food safety regulations, and lack of food control infrastructure resources in developing countries have been considered as the restraining factors for the market.

The pathogen segment is estimated to be the largest segment among targets tested in 2017

The pathogen segment accounted for a significant share in the food testing kits market in 2016. Increase in incidences of foodborne illnesses caused due to pathogens in developed as well as developing countries is one of the major factor responsible for the large market share pf pathogen segment.

Immunoassay-based food safety testing kits are estimated to form the largest segment in 2017

The large market share of this segment can be attributed to its technology being used for screening of multiple targets such as pathogens, meat speciation, GMOs, allergens, pesticides, mycotoxins, and other residues. Also, it one of the most cost-efficient technology and provides rapid test results.

Meat, poultry, and seafood products accounted for a significant share and projected to be fastest growing sample tested using food testing kits from 2017 to 2022

The global food testing kits market, by sample, is categorized into meat, poultry, and seafood products; dairy products; packaged food; fruits & vegetables; cereals, grains, and pulses; and nuts, seeds, and spices. One of the major drivers for the large market share and growth of the meat, poultry, and seafood products segment due to strict regulations formulated by leading regulatory authority to help in the maintenance and safety of meat, poultry, and seafood products.

North America is estimated to account for a significant share and dominate the food testing kits market in 2017

North America dominated the food testing kits market with a significant share and its market growth is mainly driven by the US, as the country has a large prevalence of allergic population; moreover, it is a large producer, importer, and exporter of different types of meat, food products, and a producer of various crops. Stringent regulations implemented in the region by regulatory authorities also form one of the driving factors for the significant share of this region in the food testing kits market.

The figure below shows the breakdown of the primaries on the basis of the company, designation, and region, conducted during the research study.

  • By Company Type: Tier 1 - 38%, Tier 2 - 42%, and Tier 3 - 20%
  • By Designation: C level - 45% and D level - 55%
  • By Region: Europe - 70%, Asia Pacific - 15%, North America - 10%, and RoW - 5%

The key players such as Thermo Fisher (US), Agilent (US), Eurofins (Luxembourg), bioMérieux (France), and Neogen (US) collectively accounted for a majority of the global food testing kits market. Other players in the market include PerkinElmer (US), Bio-Rad (US), QIAGEN (Germany), EnviroLogix (US), IFP Institut Für Produktqualität (Germany), Romer Labs (Austria), and Millipore Sigma (US).

Research Coverage:

The report focuses on food testing kits for different target tested and regions. It aims at estimating the size and future growth potential of this market across different segments- target tested, technology, sample, and region. Furthermore, the report includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, competitive landscape, recent developments, and key market strategies.

Reasons to buy this report:

  • To get a comprehensive overview of the global food testing kits market
  • To gain wide-ranging information about the top players in this industry, their service portfolios, and key strategies adopted by them
  • To gain insights of the major countries/regions in which the food testing kits market is flourishing.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction
1.1 Objectives of the Study
1.2 Market Definition
1.3 Market Scope
1.4 Periodization Considered
1.5 Currency
1.6 Stakeholders
2 Research Methodology
2.1 Research Data
2.1.1 Secondary Data
2.1.2 Primary Data
2.2 Market Size Estimation
2.3 Data Triangulation
2.4 Research Assumptions and Limitations
2.4.1 Research Assumptions
2.4.2 Limitation
3 Executive Summary
4 Premium Insights
4.1 Attractive Market Opportunities
4.2 Food Testing Kits Market: Key Country
4.3 Food Testing Kits Market, Technology, By Target Testing
4.4 Developed vs Developing Markets for Food Testing Kits
4.5 Food Testing Kits Market, By Target Tested & Region
4.6 North America: Food Testing Kits Market, By Target Tested & Country, 2016
5 Market Overview
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Market Dynamics
5.2.1 Drivers
5.2.1.1 Growing Demand for Faster and Reliable Test Results
5.2.1.1.1 Advantages of Test Kits Over Other Testing Technologies
5.2.1.2 Growing Preferences for Onsite Testing
5.2.1.3 Growing Competition Leading to Increased R&D Activities
5.2.1.3.1 Investments By the Biotech Industry to Develop Molecular-Based Technologies
5.2.1.3.2 Increased Innovation and Acceptance of PCR & Immunoassay-Based Technologies
5.2.1.4 Globalization of Food Trade
5.2.1.4.1 Increase in Food Processing Necessitates Safety Testing With Faster Results
5.2.1.5 Implementation of Stringent Food Safety Regulations in Developed Countries
5.2.1.6 Growing Number of Foodborne Illnesses
5.2.1.6.1 Increase in Number of Food Recalls
5.2.2 Restraints
5.2.2.1 Lack of Food Control Infrastructure & Resources in Developing Countries
5.2.2.2 Lack of Harmonization of Food Safety Regulations
5.2.2.2.1 Heavy Duty on Test Kits
5.2.3 Opportunities
5.2.3.1 Development of Multi-Contaminant Analyzing Technology
5.2.3.2 Growing Consumer Awareness and Inclination to Test Food Samples Directly
5.2.3.2.1 Dependency on Allergen Test Kits By Consumers
5.2.3.3 Huge Potential in Emerging Markets of Asian, African, and Other Developing Countries
5.2.3.3.1 Indian Food Industry to Lay Emphasis on Food Safety
5.2.3.3.2 Government Initiatives and A Favorable Regulatory Scenario
5.2.3.4 Budget Allocation and Spending on Food Safety
5.2.4 Challenges
5.2.4.1 Complexity in Quantification of Test Results
5.2.4.1.1 Varying Results With Different Test Methods
5.3 Industry Trends
5.3.1 Real-Time PCR Technique
5.3.2 Immunoassay-Based
5.3.3 Substrate Technology
6 Regulations
6.1 Introduction
6.2 International Body for Food Safety Standards and Regulations
6.2.1 Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
6.3 Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
6.4 North America
6.4.1 US Regulations
6.4.1.1 Federal Legislation
6.4.1.1.1 State Legislation
6.4.1.1.2 Food Safety in Retail Food
6.4.1.1.3 Food Safety in Trade
6.4.1.1.4 Haccp Regulation in the US
6.4.1.1.5 US Regulation for Foodborne Pathogens in Poultry
6.4.1.1.6 Food Safety Regulations for Fruit & Vegetable Growers
6.4.1.1.7 GMOs Regulation in the US
6.4.1.1.8 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
6.4.1.1.9 Labeling of GM Foods
6.4.1.1.10 Regulatory Guidance By FDA for Aflatoxins
6.4.1.1.11 Pesticide Regulation in the US
6.4.2 Canada
6.4.3 Mexico
6.5 Europe
6.5.1 European Union Regulations
6.5.1.1 Microbiological Criteria Regulation
6.5.1.2 Melamine Legislation
6.5.1.3 General Food Law for Food Safety
6.5.1.4 Toxins Regulation
6.5.1.4.1 Ochratoxin A
6.5.1.4.2 Dioxin and PBCS
6.5.1.4.3 Fusarium Toxins
6.5.1.4.4 Aflatoxins
6.5.1.4.5 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pah)
6.5.2 Germany
6.5.3 UK
6.5.4 France
6.5.5 Italy
6.5.6 Poland
6.6 Asia Pacific
6.6.1 China
6.6.1.1 The Regulating Bodies for Food Safety in China Are:
6.6.1.2 Major Efforts of China to Standardize Its Food Safety System
6.6.2 Japan
6.6.3 India
6.6.3.1 Food Safety Standards Amendment Regulations, 2012
6.6.3.2 Food Safety Standards Amendment Regulations, 2011
6.6.3.3 Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
6.6.4 Australia
6.6.4.1 Food Standards Australia New Zealand
6.6.5 New Zealand
6.6.5.1 GMOs Labeling Regulation in the Asia Pacific
6.6.6 Indonesia
6.6.6.1 General Law for Food Safety
6.6.7 Regulation on Pesticides
6.6.8 Regulations on Mycotoxins in Food
6.6.9 Chemical Contaminants
6.6.10 Genetically Engineered Foods
6.6.11 Allergen: Regulation on Allergen Labeling in Food
6.7 Rest of the World
6.7.1 South Africa
6.7.1.1 International vs Local Standards & Legislations
6.7.1.2 Private Standards in South Africa & the Requirements for Product Testing
6.7.2 Brazil
6.7.2.1 The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA)
6.7.2.2 Ministry of Health (MS)
6.7.3 Argentina
7 Food Testing Kits Market, By Sample
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products
7.3 Dairy Products
7.4 Packaged Food
7.5 Fruits & Vegetables
7.6 Cereals, Grains & Pulses
7.7 Nuts, Seeds, and Spices
7.8 Others
8 Food Testing Kits Market, By Technology
8.1 Introduction
8.2 PCR-Based
8.3 Immunoassay-Based
8.4 Enzyme Substrate-Based & Others
9 Food Testing Kits Market, By Target Tested
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Allergens
9.3 Mycotoxins
9.4 Pathogens
9.5 GMOs
9.6 Meat Species
9.7 Others
10 Food Testing Kits Market, By Region
10.1 Introduction
10.2 North America
10.2.1 US
10.2.2 Canada
10.2.3 Mexico
10.3 Europe
10.3.1 Germany
10.3.2 UK
10.3.3 France
10.3.4 Italy
10.3.5 Spain
10.3.6 Rest of Europe
10.4 Asia Pacific
10.4.1 China
10.4.2 Japan
10.4.3 India
10.4.4 Australia & New Zealand
10.4.5 Rest of Asia Pacific
10.5 Rest of the World (RoW)
10.5.1 Brazil
10.5.2 South Africa
10.5.3 Others in RoW
11 Competitive Landscape
11.1 Overview
11.2 Market Ranking
11.3 Competitive Scenario
11.3.1 New Product & Technology Launches
11.3.2 Expansions
11.3.3 Acquisitions
11.3.4 Agreements, Collaborations, Mergers & Partnerships
12 Company Profiles
(Business Overview, Products Offered, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, View)*
12.1 Thermo Fisher
12.2 Agilent
12.3 Eurofins
12.4 Biomérieux
12.5 Perkinelmer
12.6 Bio-Rad
12.7 Qiagen
12.8 Neogen
12.9 Envirologix
12.10 IFP Institut Fur Produktqualität
12.11 Romer Labs
12.12 Millipore Sigma
*Business Overview, Products Offered, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, View might not be captured in case of unlisted companies.
List of Tables
Table 1 US Dollar Exchange Rates Considered for the Study, 2014–2016
Table 2 Chemical Outbreaks in the World, 2011–2015
Table 3 Regulatory Bodies That Actively Participate in Food Protection and Monitoring
Table 4 Reagents & Test Kits Market for Microbial Contamination in Drinking & Bottled Water, By Region, 2015-2022 (USD Million)
Table 5 Food Recalls in Australia & New Zealand, 2010–2015
Table 6 Food Products From the US Banned in Other Countries
Table 7 Food Production in India and Global Share Percentage, 2015
Table 8 USDa Grants for Food Safety Research
Table 9 International Regulatory Chart on Food Allergens
Table 10 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, By Tolerances of Raw & Processed Food
Table 11 Maximum Level for Melamine & Its Structural Analogs
Table 12 Gmos: Labeling Requirement
Table 13 Commission Regulation for Ochratoxin A
Table 14 Maximum Levels of Various Types of Mycotoxins in Different Foods
Table 15 Gmos Labeling in Asia Pacific Countries
Table 16 List of Genetically Engineered Crops Developed in Indonesia
Table 17 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Sample, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 18 Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 19 Dairy Products: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 20 Processed Food: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 21 Fruits & Vegetables: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 22 Cereals & Grains: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 23 Nuts, Seeds, and Spices: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 24 Others: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 25 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 26 PCR-Based Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 27 Immunoassay-Based Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 28 Enzyme Substrate-Based & Other Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 29 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 30 Allergen: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 31 Allergen Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 32 Mycotoxins: Occurrence, Source, and Health Effects
Table 33 Mycotoxin Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 34 Mycotoxin Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 35 Pathogens Contributing to Foodborne Illnesses and Foodborne Illnesses Resulting in Hospitalization and Death Annually in the Us
Table 36 Foodborne Disease-Causing Organisms
Table 37 Food Pathogens: Inspection Rate & Incidence of Foodborne Illness, 2013 (Per 100,000 People)
Table 38 Pathogen Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 39 Pathogen Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 40 Gmo Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 41 Gmo Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 42 Meat Species Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 43 Meat Species Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 44 Other Target Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 45 Other Target Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 46 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 47 North America: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Country, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 48 North America: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 49 US: Food Fraud Details
Table 50 US: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 51 Canada: Food Fraud Details
Table 52 Canada: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 53 Mexico: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 54 Europe: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Country, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 55 Europe: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 56 Germany: Food Fraud Details
Table 57 Germany: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 58 UK: Food Fraud Details
Table 59 UK: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 60 France: Food Fraud Details
Table 61 France: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 62 Italy: Food Fraud Details
Table 63 Italy: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 64 Spain: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 65 Rest of Europe: Food Fraud Details
Table 66 Rest of Europe: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 67 Asia Pacific: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Country, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 68 Asia Pacific: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 69 China: Food Fraud Details
Table 70 China: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 71 Japan: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 72 India: Food Fraud Details
Table 73 India: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 74 Australia & New Zealand: Food Fraud Details
Table 75 Australia & New Zealand: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 76 Rest of Asia Pacific: Food Fraud Details
Table 77 Rest of Asia Pacific: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 78 RoW: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Country, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 79 RoW: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 80 Brazil: Food Fraud Details
Table 81 Brazil: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Testing, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 82 Argentina: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Testing, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 83 South Africa: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Testing, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 84 Others in RoW: Food Fraud Details
Table 85 Others in RoW: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Testing, 2015–2022 (USD Million)
Table 86 Top Five Companies in the Food Testing Kits Market, 2016
Table 87 New Product & Technology Launches, 2014–2017
Table 88 Expansions, 2012–2017
Table 89 Acquisitions, 2014–2017
Table 90 Agreements, Collaborations, Mergers & Partnerships, 2012–2017
List of Figures
Figure 1 Food Testing Kits Market: Market Segmentation
Figure 2 Food Testing Kits Market: Geographic Segmentation
Figure 3 Research Design: Food Testing Kits
Figure 4 Breakdown of Primaries
Figure 5 Market Size Estimation Methodology: Bottom-Up Approach
Figure 6 Market Size Estimation Methodology: Top-Down Approach
Figure 7 Data Triangulation Methodology
Figure 8 Food Testing Kits Market Snapshot, By Target Tested, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 9 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2017–2022
Figure 10 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Sample, 2017–2022
Figure 11 Food Testing Kits Market, By Region and Ranking, 2017–2022
Figure 12 Food Testing Kits Market Share, By Region
Figure 13 Emerging Countries to Drive the Growth of the Food Testing Kits Market
Figure 14 China to Be the Fastest-Growing Country in the Food Testing Kits Market By 2022
Figure 15 Immunoassay Based Technology Dominated the Food Testing Kits Market in 2016
Figure 16 Developing Countries to Emerge at the Highest Growth Rates During the Forecast Period
Figure 17 North America Dominated the Food Testing Kits Market Across All Target Tested in 2016
Figure 18 US Accounted for the Largest Share in 2016
Figure 19 Market Dynamics: Food Testing Kits Market
Figure 20 Global Microbiological Test Volume
Figure 21 US Federal R&D Expenditure Across All Major Agencies, 2016
Figure 22 US Agricultural Imports, 2010–2015
Figure 23 Processed Food & Related Products Export From India, 2011–2015, USD Billion
Figure 24 Trend of Food Processing Projects in Us, 2011–2015
Figure 25 Number of Subsectors of Food Processing Projects in Us, 2011–2015
Figure 26 US Processed Food Export, 2009 vs 2013, USD Billion
Figure 27 Major Export Markets of US, 2009 vs 2013, USD Billion
Figure 28 US: Estimated Annual Cost of Foodborne Illness Caused By Salmonella, 2013 (USD Million)
Figure 29 US: Estimated Annual Cost of Foodborne Illness Caused By Listeria, 2013 (USD Million)
Figure 30 Increase in Foodborne Outbreaks in Us
Figure 31 US: Share of Pathogens in Foodborne Illness - Economic Burden of USD 15.5 Billion, 2015
Figure 32 Growth in US Food Recalls, 2004 vs 2014
Figure 33 Food Allergy Prevalence Among Children of All Ages (0-18 Years), 2013
Figure 34 Fund Allocation for Food Processing Industry Development in India, USD Million
Figure 35 Australian Government Investment in R&D, 2015–2016 (USD Billion)
Figure 36 Food Safety Improvements & Increased Budget Allocation By the Fda, 2015
Figure 37 Legislation Process in the EU
Figure 38 Role of EFSA to Reduce Campylobacteriosis
Figure 39 Food Commodities Associated With Salmonella Outbreaks, 2004–2008
Figure 40 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Sample, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 41 Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products: Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 42 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Technology, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 43 PCR-Based Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 44 Food Testing Kits Market Size, By Target Tested, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 45 Allergen Testing Kits Market Size, By Region, 2017 vs 2022
Figure 46 Global Mycotoxin Testing Market Size in Food & Feed, By Region, 2015–2022 (Thousand Tests)
Figure 47 US Held the Largest Share of the Food Testing Kits Market, 2016
Figure 48 North American Market Snapshot
Figure 49 US: Number of Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths Caused By Pathogens, 2015
Figure 50 Number of Expansions of Food Processing Projects in the Us, 2011-2015
Figure 51 Food Allergen Recalls in the EU
Figure 52 Europe: Market Snapshot
Figure 53 Asia Pacific: Market Snapshot
Figure 54 Major Importing Countries of Processed Food and Agricultural Commodities From India, 2016
Figure 55 Fund Allocation for Food Project Development in 12th Five-Year Plan
Figure 56 Key Developments of the Leading Players in the Food Testing Kits Market for 2012-2017
Figure 57 Market Evaluation Framework
Figure 58 Thermo Fisher: Company Snapshot
Figure 59 Agilent: Company Snapshot
Figure 60 Eurofins: Company Snapshot
Figure 61 Biomérieux: Company Snapshot
Figure 62 Perkinelmer: Company Snapshot
Figure 63 Bio-Rad: Company Snapshot
Figure 64 Qiagen: Company Snapshot
Figure 65 Neogen: Company Snapshot

Executive Summary

Companies Mentioned

  • Agilent
  • Bio-Rad
  • Biomérieux
  • Envirologix
  • Eurofins
  • IFP Institut Fur Produktqualität
  • Millipore Sigma
  • Neogen
  • Perkinelmer
  • Qiagen
  • Romer Labs
  • Thermo Fisher

Table Information