Food Safety Testing - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Food Safety Testing Market Analysis

The food safety testing market is estimated to be USD 25.38 billion in 2025, is projected to expand significantly, reaching USD 36.54 billion by 2030, with a strong CAGR of 7.56% during the forecast period. The food testing market growth stems from regulatory compliance requirements, increased consumer demand for food safety verification, and improvements in testing technologies. Pathogen testing represents the largest market segment, serving as a fundamental component in foodborne illness prevention and regulatory compliance. Besides, GMO testing demonstrates the highest growth rate, driven by the implementation of labeling requirements and heightened focus on genetically modified ingredients. International food trade expansion and recurring food contamination incidents necessitate robust testing and monitoring protocols. Testing facilities are implementing automation and advanced equipment to improve accuracy, reduce processing time, and increase testing capacity. However, market expansion remains constrained in developing regions due to equipment costs and workforce limitations.

Global Food Safety Testing Market Trends and Insights

Increase in Consumer Awareness About Food Ingredients and Label Accuracy

As consumers increasingly demand transparency regarding food ingredients, testing priorities throughout the supply chain are undergoing a significant transformation. In response, food manufacturers are adopting more rigorous testing protocols to ensure the authenticity of ingredients and the accuracy of label claims, with a particular focus on allergens and contaminants. This evolving landscape is underscored by the FDA's 2025 priority deliverables. These include revising the nutrient content claim "healthy," advocating for front-of-package nutrition labeling, and endorsing sodium reduction in the food supply. For instance, major food companies like Nestlé and Unilever have already begun reformulating their products to meet these evolving standards, ensuring compliance with both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. Moreover, scrutiny now encompasses not just traditional safety measures but also the verification of origin claims and production methods, spurring a demand for advanced analytical techniques. A testament to this trend is the European Commission's December 2024 ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, underscoring a regulatory shift driven by consumer advocacy to purge potentially harmful substances from the food supply chain. Additionally, the rise of blockchain technology in the food industry is enabling enhanced traceability, allowing consumers to verify the journey of their food from farm to table, further reinforcing transparency and trust.

Stringent Global Food Safety Regulations and Compliance Mandates

Global regulatory frameworks are becoming increasingly stringent, driving the demand for advanced and frequent food testing solutions. The FDA's Human Foods Program (HFP), launched in October 2024, has outlined strategic priorities for fiscal year 2025, focusing on microbiological food safety, chemical safety, and nutrition . Key deliverables include the enforcement of pre-harvest agricultural water requirements and the development of advanced food traceability tools to enhance transparency and safety across the supply chain. These initiatives reflect the FDA's commitment to addressing emerging food safety challenges and ensuring compliance with evolving standards. In Europe, regulatory updates for food-grade chemicals during 2024-2025 have introduced significant changes, including the phase-out of titanium dioxide (E171) and revisions to flavoring and enzyme regulations. These updates align with a broader global trend toward stricter oversight of food safety, with a heightened focus on detecting chemical contaminants and pathogens. This regulatory evolution underscores the growing importance of adopting innovative testing technologies to meet compliance requirements, mitigate risks, and protect consumer health. As the food industry navigates these changes, robust testing mechanisms will play a pivotal role in ensuring safety and maintaining regulatory adherence.

High Cost of Advanced Testing Equipment and Infrastructure

The substantial capital requirements for advanced food safety testing equipment restrict market growth in developing regions. Equipment such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms necessitate significant upfront investment and operational expenditure, including maintenance costs, calibration requirements, consumable expenses, and personnel training. These financial requirements exceed the budget allocations of smaller laboratories, restricting their capacity to conduct precise contaminant, pathogen, and allergen detection. The investment constraints are particularly significant in emerging markets where regulatory compliance requirements are increasing but infrastructure funding remains limited. Consequently, food manufacturers and testing facilities commonly implement cost-reduction measures, including outsourcing to certified third-party laboratories with established infrastructure and international accreditations. To address these operational limitations, organizations are implementing various solutions, including public-private partnerships, government funding initiatives, and resource optimization programs. Several regions are deploying portable testing units for immediate on-site analysis as an interim measure. Addressing these financial constraints remains essential for expanding comprehensive food safety testing globally.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

1. Growing Global Food Trade and Cross-Border Supply Chains
2. Rising Cases of Food Borne Illness
3. Lack of Trained Personnel and Technical Expertise

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

In 2024, pathogen testing dominates the food safety testing market with a 51.50% share, driven by the rising prevalence of foodborne illnesses and the implementation of stricter food safety regulations in key economies. The increasing contamination from pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli—particularly in high-risk food categories like processed meats, dairy products, and fresh produce—has compelled manufacturers to adopt advanced testing protocols. These protocols are essential for ensuring compliance with stringent global food safety standards, including HACCP, ISO 22000, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Additionally, the growing consumer demand for safer food products and the proactive measures by regulatory authorities to mitigate foodborne risks are further solidifying the critical role of pathogen testing in the market.

GMO testing is poised for significant growth, with a projected CAGR of 8.35% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer concerns over genetically modified ingredients and the evolving global regulatory landscape. For instance, in 2023, the U.S. Agricultural Marketing Service amended the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to include Bt insect-resistant sugarcane in the bioengineered foods list, requiring compliance by June 23, 2025. Similar regulatory developments in regions such as the European Union and Asia-Pacific are driving the demand for accurate and compliant GMO testing solutions. Furthermore, as regulatory scrutiny intensifies and consumer awareness about food labeling grows, the adoption of advanced GMO testing technologies is expected to expand, ensuring transparency, compliance, and trust in food supply chains.

The Global Food Safety Testing Market Report Segments the Industry by Contaminant Type (Pathogen Testing, Pesticide and Residue Testing, GMO Testing, and More), Technology (Polymerase Chain Reaction, Immunoassay-Based, and More), Application (Pet Food and Animal Feed, and Food), and Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Geography Analysis

North America, driven by strict regulations and heightened consumer awareness, holds a commanding 33.91% share of the food testing market in 2024. The FDA's newly launched Human Foods Program in October 2024 has set ambitious 2025 goals, such as bolstering traceability tools, intensifying surveillance on foodborne pathogens, and forging regulatory partnerships for imported seafood. North America's advanced laboratory networks and analytical capabilities underscore its leadership in food testing. Notable foodborne illnesses like E. coli in fast-food onions highlight the critical need for stringent testing protocols. Concurrently, Canada and Mexico are enhancing their food safety measures, with Canada introducing new PFAS monitoring regulations and Mexico tightening its import/export testing protocols.

Asia-Pacific is poised to be the fastest-growing region, with an anticipated CAGR of 8.45% from 2025-2030. This growth is driven by an expanding food trade, increased regulatory scrutiny, and rising consumer awareness about food safety. In a clear indication of its commitment to food safety, China's customs authorities rejected 507 batches of imported food in November 2024 due to testing failures. India's FSSAI is stepping up its oversight, requiring licensed food manufacturers to submit quarterly reports on rejected and expired items. Additionally, in December 2024, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency introduced a draft amendment to its Food Labeling Standards, emphasizing food additives and nutrition labeling. Europe, bolstered by its strong food testing framework, sees both the EFSA and national bodies enforcing rigorous testing mandates. Europe's commitment to food safety is further underscored by its December 2024 prohibition of Bisphenol A (BPA) in materials contacting food.

South America and the Middle East and Africa are experiencing a rising demand for food testing services, albeit from a smaller base. Brazil, as South America's frontrunner, is enhancing its food safety measures to protect its extensive agricultural exports. In the Middle East, countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are significantly investing in food testing infrastructure, aiming to reduce their dependence on imported safety services and strengthen food security. Given the interconnectedness of global food supply chains, there's a concerted effort for worldwide standardized testing protocols. International entities, including Codex Alimentarius, have been proactive, formulating guidelines for the period from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, and from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

1. Eurofins Scientific
2. SGS SA
3. Bureau Veritas Group
4. Intertek Group plc
5. Institut Mérieux
6. ALS Global
7. TÜV SÜD
8. NSF International
9. AsureQuality Limited
10. UL LLC
11. Neogen Corporation
12. Microbac Laboratories, Inc
13. Dsm-Firmenich (Romer Labs)
14. Charm Sciences, Inc.
15. Fera Science Limited
16. FoodChain ID
17. Cotecna Group
18. AGQ Labs Group
19. Agilent Technologies
20. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support