North America Food Safety Testing - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026 - 2031)

North America Food Safety Testing Market Analysis

The North America food safety testing market is expected to grow from USD 8.51 billion in 2025 to USD 8.99 billion in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 11.81 billion by 2031 at 5.61% CAGR over 2026-2031. This growth stems from tighter food safety regulations, increased public awareness of foodborne outbreaks through media coverage, and growing consumer interest in transparent food labeling. As companies engage in more international trade of fresh produce, meat, and processed foods, supply chains have become increasingly complex, leading to higher risks of contamination and greater testing requirements. Within the market, large testing laboratories are enhancing their capabilities with high-volume testing equipment, while smaller firms carve out niches through specialized testing services and quick response times. The industry continues to evolve with advancements in chemical residue testing, allergen identification, and digital tracking systems.

North America Food Safety Testing Market Trends and Insights

Stringent Government Regulations Regarding Food Safety Standards

The FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has intensified regulatory enforcement across North America, introducing stringent compliance requirements for food manufacturers. The FDA's updated allergen labeling guidance, effective January 2024, requires enhanced testing protocols for nine major allergens, increasing the demand for immunoassay-based detection systems . The USDA-FSIS has implemented a comprehensive Salmonella framework for poultry products, requiring processors to conduct pathogen testing at critical control points throughout production. These regulatory requirements have created a compliance-driven testing market, where laboratories must upgrade their analytical capabilities to meet detection thresholds. Non-compliance penalties can reach millions of dollars, making testing investments crucial for risk management. Health Canada's efforts to align food safety standards with United States requirements further strengthen these regulatory measures across North America.

Increasing Frequency of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks

Recent foodborne illness outbreaks have led to expanded testing protocols across affected supply chains. The October 2024 McDonald's E. coli outbreak, traced to slivered onions and affecting 104 individuals across 14 states, resulted in increased testing requirements for leafy greens and fresh-cut produce. Norovirus outbreaks linked to raw oysters from British Columbia waters prompted enhanced shellfish testing protocols across North American distribution networks . The Salmonella outbreak in charcuterie meats during late 2024 highlighted bacterial contamination risks in processed foods, increasing demand for rapid pathogen detection systems. These incidents drive market growth as food companies implement more frequent testing to prevent contamination. The financial impact of outbreaks, demonstrated by McDonald's stock volatility following the E. coli incident, makes preventive testing more cost-effective than managing contamination aftermath.

High Cost of Advanced Food Safety Testing Procedures

Advanced analytical instrumentation poses substantial financial challenges for smaller food manufacturers striving to implement comprehensive testing protocols. The investment required for pesticide residue analysis systems, including maintenance costs, creates significant financial barriers for mid-market food processors. The industry-wide shortage of qualified technicians amplifies these challenges, as experienced analytical chemists demand considerably higher compensation compared to general laboratory staff, affecting operational budgets for companies expanding their testing programs. The burden of regulatory compliance continues to increase as agencies mandate more sophisticated detection methods, with specialized testing procedures like mycotoxin analysis requiring complex sample preparation techniques that substantially impact testing budgets. Small and medium enterprises frequently turn to external testing laboratories, but capacity constraints during high-demand periods result in production delays and increased inventory costs. This financial pressure is particularly challenging for organic and specialty food producers, who must maintain stringent testing standards while operating with narrower profit margins compared to traditional food manufacturers.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

1. Growing Adoption of Blockchain for Traceability and Data Integrity
2. Prevalence and Detection Emphasis on Food Allergens
3. Difficulty in Testing for Emerging and Complex Contaminants

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

Segment Analysis

Pathogen testing currently holds the largest market share at 45.20% in 2025, as food manufacturers focus heavily on preventing microbial contamination that could result in health emergencies and facility closures. The GMO testing segment shows promising growth potential with a projected CAGR of 6.44% through 2031, responding to heightened consumer interest in product transparency and the increasing need to verify organic and non-GMO claims.

While companies continue to invest significantly in traditional microbial safety testing, the market is expanding to accommodate new verification requirements that provide testing laboratories with additional business opportunities. The pesticide and residue testing segment maintains steady demand for chemical contamination screening, alongside mycotoxin testing which remains crucial for grain and nut processors. Testing laboratories can charge premium rates for their advanced analytical capabilities, which are essential for meeting FDA aflatoxin limits ranging from 20 ppb in nuts to 0.5 ppb in milk.

The North America Food Safety Testing Market Report is Segmented by Containment Type (Pathogen Testing, Pesticide and Residue Testing, Mycotoxin Testing, and More), Technology (Polymerase Chain Reaction, Immunoassay-Based and More), Application (Pet Food and Animal Feed, and Food), and Geography (United States, Canada, Mexico, and Rest of North America). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

1. SGS SA
2. Eurofins Scientific
3. Bureau Veritas
4. Intertek Group PLC
5. ALS Limited
6. NSF International
7. Mérieux NutriSciences
8. NEOGEN Corporation
9. TÜV SÜD
10. AsureQuality
11. Microbac Laboratories
12. 3M Company
13. Bio-Rad Laboratories
14. Agilent Technologies
15. Thermo Fisher Scientific
16. Danaher
17. Charm Sciences
18. IDEXX Laboratories
19. Romer Labs
20. Genetic ID NA

Additional Benefits:

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