Food Safety Testing Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The global food safety testing market attained a value of USD 24.04 Billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow further during the forecast period of 2025-2034 at an estimated CAGR of 7.90%, reaching a value of USD 51.42 Billion by 2034.

Increase in cases of food-borne illnesses, rising consumer awareness of food safety, and adoption of strict food safety regulations are contributing to the expansion of the global food safety testing market size. It is projected that the demand for packaged and processed food will increase in both developed and developing economies as a result of factors including changing lifestyles and the rising popularity of quick-service restaurants, thereby increasing the demand for food safety testing.

The food testing market is anticipated to develop as a result of the rising demand for quality checks on both processed and unprocessed meats. Also, the demand for food safety testing has increased due to the threat posed by the rise in foodborne illnesses, adulteration incidents, toxicity, and various contaminants, supporting the growth of the food safety testing market by contaminant.

Testing for food safety contributes to preserving the quality of food products in terms of their taste, appearance, and constituents. Strong demand is being created for food safety testing as a result of rising concerns over food safety and strict environmental regulations. The growing necessity to prevent food contamination and decline the frequency of foodborne illnesses is further increasing the food safety testing market revenue.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Growing popularity of rapid testing methods; rising adoption of advanced technologies; and increasing emphasis on traceability, transparency, and sustainability are favouring the food safety testing market expansion.

February 2025

The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) of Kuwait launched the country’s first mobile food testing laboratory at Kuwait International Airport. The lab is designed to enhance the efficiency of food inspections and ensure that imported products meet safety and quality standards. The lab, with its rapid testing capabilities, is expected to play a crucial role in mitigating the risk of foodborne illnesses.

January 2025

Mérieux NutriSciences completed the acquisition of Bureau Veritas' food testing activities in the U.S. and Canada. Through this, the company aims to enhance its position as a global leader in food testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) and strengthen its presence in Canada and the United States.

June 2024

Neogen® Corporation launched Neogen's Petrifilm® Automated Feeder to support high-volume testing laboratories to implement a more efficient way to process quality indicator tests, efficiently process microbial tests, and meet food safety standards. The system, designed for high-volume food safety testing labs processing more than 100,000 quality indicator tests per year, aims to lower the time burden on technician staff and enable labs to deliver high-quality and safe food testing requirements.

February 2024

bioMérieux entered into a strategic collaboration with the FDA Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment to develop tools to combat food-borne pathogens. The inaugural collaborative projects between the organisations aim to use novel technologies to improve the isolation of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STECs), simplify microbial characterisation methods for food-borne pathogens, and enhance the detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Rising popularity of rapid testing methods

Rapid food safety testing methods that allow for real-time detection of adulterants and pollutants are gaining significant popularity. Such methods also lower the requirement for dedicated and large laboratories, reduce testing time, and minimise the need for extensive staff hours, hence lowering operational costs and resulting in enhanced profitability.

Growing adoption of advanced technologies

Food safety testing laboratories are increasingly adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), DNA sequencing, and machine learning (ML) to improve the effectiveness and risk of risk assessment procedures. Such technologies can also forecast possible dangers to food safety, improve food safety outcomes, streamline the identification and mitigation of hazards, and enable quick identification of microbiological contamination.

Rising emphasis on traceability and transparency

The growing emphasis on traceability and transparency among customers is shaping the food safety testing market trends and dynamics. Companies are using food safety testing results to earn certification labels that guarantee product quality and safety. Moreover, food safety testing labs are increasingly leveraging technologies such as RFID tags, blockchain, and QR codes for promptly detecting potential concerns and facilitating targeted recalls, thus minimising the spread of foodborne illnesses and enhancing transparency and traceability of food products.

Increasing emphasis on sustainability

With the rising focus on sustainability, there is an emerging shift towards more eco-friendly and greener food safety testing methods that eliminate and minimise the use of harmful chemicals. Key players are also developing biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable packaging solutions for food safety testing kits to lower carbon emissions and reduce waste.

Market Segmentation

Food safety testing verifies whether the food is free from harmful chemicals, pathogens, allergens, and other contaminants. It also tests whether the food packaging is ensuring the safety and freshness of the product.

Market Breakup by Testing Method

• Chemical Testing
• Physical Testing
• Nutritional Testing
• Food Sensory Analysis
• Microbiological Testing
• Allergen Testing
• Others

Market Breakup by Technology

• Traditional Technology
• Rapid Technology

Market Breakup by Food Type

• Dairy Products
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Seafood, Meat, and Poultry
• Processed Food
• Cereals and Grains
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Food Safety Testing Market Analysis

The global food safety testing market is being driven by the rising concerns about food safety and increasing calls for food safety accountability. According to the World Health Organisation, unsafe food can cause over 200 diseases, which can range from diarrhoea to cancers. As per food safety testing market report, nearly 600 million people are affected by contaminated food each year, with almost 4,20,000 dying as a result of consuming contaminated food. While foodborne diseases are caused by pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasites, the intrusion of unwanted chemical substances in food and beverage products can also be responsible for foodborne diseases. Thus, multiple regulations and accreditations like FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), and Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) are encouraging companies and retailers to adopt stringent food safety testing standards. With rising cases of food fraud, multiple regulations are being implemented across the world.

The food safety testing market share is expanding owing to the growing food and beverage industry globally. The rising middle-class population, busier lifestyles, and increasing disposable incomes are driving the growth of the processed and packaged food industries. With the rising consumption of processed and packaged food and beverages, the need for food safety testing has increased, thus, aiding the growth of the food safety testing market. While the testing of contaminants like salmonella is most common, the players in the market are also increasingly testing for the presence of allergens, and GMO ingredients as consumers are becoming more aware about food hygiene and safety. With the food supply chain becoming more expansive, regulations are being implemented to ensure food safety across the supply chain, thus, ensuring the growth of the market. Increasing technological innovations are also driving the market growth.

Regional Analysis

The North American food safety testing industry is one of the leading regional markets for food safety testing. The frequent cases of food poisoning and foodborne diseases in the region are supporting the market growth. Salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli, and listeria are the common pathogens that cause foodborne diseases. While salmonella can infect vegetables, chicken, eggs, beef, and pork, campylobacter is commonly spread through chicken. According to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 48 million people in the United States are affected by food poisoning every year, with 128,000 of those affected requiring hospitalisations and 3,000 succumbing to foodborne diseases in the United States each year. Thus, with the rising frequency of food-related diseases in the region, consumers are increasingly demanding food safety accountability. The growing demand for greater food safety and the implementation of government regulations like the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) are aiding the growth of the market in the United States.

Europe is also a significant region in the food safety testing market. The European food safety testing market is being driven by the thriving food and beverage industry on the continent and the rising number of food regulations by various governments and the European Union. Germany, the United Kingdom, and France are major countries for food safety testing within Europe. The market is being driven by the rising demand for food safety accountability by consumers in the region due to multiple food related scandals. Major food and beverage companies and providers are also aiding the growth of the Europe food safety testing market as they seek to acquire multiple food safety accreditations to enhance their reputability and adhere to regional safety regulations.

Competitive Landscape

Key food safety testing market players are focusing on technological advancements and developing innovative food safety testing solutions to include chemical contamination, pathogen detection, and allergen testing, among others. They are also focusing on merger and acquisition activities to improve their technological capabilities and expand their reach in fast-growing regions.

SGS Group

SGS Group, founded in 1878 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a prominent Testing, Inspection and Certification company. Boasting a network of 2,700 laboratories and business facilities across 119 countries and employing 99,250 individuals, the company’s renowned brands are Bluesign, Brightsight, Nutrasource, and Maine Pointe.

Bureau Veritas S. A.

Bureau Veritas S. A., founded in 1828 and headquartered in Paris, France, is a leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. It employs 83,000 individuals and offers its products and services in 140 countries across the world. The company’s technical expertise enables customers to address challenges in sustainability, quality, environmental protection, and health and safety.

Eurofins Scientific

Eurofins Scientific, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Luxembourg, is a leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, forensics, discovery pharmacology, advanced material sciences, and agroscience Contract Research services. It is also an emerging player in the field of speciality esoteric and molecular clinical diagnostic testing in Europe and the US. The company performs more than 450 million tests every year.

Intertek Group plc

Intertek Group plc, founded in 2002 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider. It boasts a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries. The company offers 24/7 mission-critical quality assurance solutions to ensure that its customers can operate with robust supply chains.

Other key players in the food safety testing market include ALS Limited, NSF International, Neogen Corporation, Merieux NutriSciences Corporation, Microbac Laboratories, Inc., IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group, QIMA Limited, AGQ Labs, NSF International, TÜV NORD GROUP, EMSL Analytical, Inc., Microbiologics, Inc, and Romer Labs Division Holding GmbH, among others.