Food Certification Market Report 2026

The food certification market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $8.41 billion in 2025 to $9.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing regulatory enforcement in food safety, expansion of global food trade, rising consumer awareness of food quality, adoption of standardized food safety frameworks, growth of organized food retail.

The food certification market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.91 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainability certifications, rising adoption of digital audit technologies, expansion of cross-border food exports, growing focus on supply chain transparency, increasing regulatory harmonization across regions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of digital certification platforms, rising demand for traceability and transparency services, growing focus on sustainable and ethical food certifications, expansion of multi-standard certification audits, enhanced integration of blockchain-based verification systems.

The growing awareness about food safety and quality is expected to propel the growth of the food certification market going forward. Food safety and quality refer to the comprehensive set of practices, standards, and management systems designed to ensure that food products are free from hazards, consistently meet defined quality parameters, and remain suitable for human consumption throughout the entire supply chain. The rising awareness about food safety and quality stems from widespread media coverage of foodborne risks, prompting stricter measures by governments and businesses. Food certification ensures food safety and quality by verifying that products comply with established standards, making them safe for consumption. It minimizes health risks, ensures regulatory compliance, and builds consumer trust, thereby enhancing overall confidence in food products. For instance, in October 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a Switzerland-based specialized agency of the United Nations, approximately 600 million people, or one in ten, suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in around 420,000 deaths and an estimated loss of $110 billion each year in productivity and medical expenses, while children under 5 years old bear about 40% of this burden, accounting for roughly 125,000 deaths annually. Therefore, the growing awareness about food safety and quality is driving the growth of the food certification market.

Major companies operating in the food certification market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as safe food packaging certification protocols, to enhance consumer protection from chemical exposure in food contact materials. A safe food packaging certification protocol is a scientifically based assessment framework that verifies food contact packaging materials for compliance with safety standards by identifying and eliminating harmful chemical substances that may migrate into food. For instance, in September 2025, the National Science Foundation (NSF), a US-based public health and safety organization, launched NSF Protocol 525: Safe Food Packaging Certification. The protocol establishes rigorous, science-based criteria for assessing packaging materials and validating the absence of hazardous substances such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, bisphenol A, heavy metals, and phthalates. This advancement strengthens regulatory compliance, promotes transparency in packaging safety, and reinforces public trust by ensuring that food contact materials meet global safety standards.

In September 2024, Mérieux NutriSciences, a France-based provider of food safety, quality, and sustainability services, acquired Bureau Veritas’ food testing activities in Japan, Morocco, Southeast Asia, and South Africa for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Mérieux NutriSciences aims to expand its global presence and strengthen its analytical capabilities in emerging markets to better support multinational food manufacturers and local clients. Bureau Veritas is a France-based testing, inspection, and certification company that provides food certification services.

Major companies operating in the food certification market are Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), Eurofins Scientific, Bureau Veritas, Dekra SE, Intertek Group plc, Mérieux NutriSciences, DNV GL, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), TÜV Nord Group, ALS Limited, Lloyd’s Register (LR), AsureQuality, NSF International, SCS Global Services, Control Union Certifications, FoodChain ID Group Inc., BRCGS, Eagle Certification Group, Groupe Ecocert, The Non‑GMO Project, Biocert, Taiwan Quality Food Association, ISOQAR (Alcumus ISOQAR), Food Alliance.

North America was the largest region in the food certification market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food certification market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the food certification market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The food certification market consists of revenues earned by entities through auditing of food production processes, inspection of facilities, laboratory testing of products, certification of compliance with standards, and reporting or issuance of certificates. The market value includes the fees for assessments, audits, consulting services, and related reporting tools provided as part of the service offering.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.