May 2025
The global food pathogen testing market size was estimated at USD 16.49 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 17.89 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 37.29 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2025 to 2034. The growing focus on enhancing food safety and food quality for the entire population along with the implementation of regulatory standards drives the expansion of the market.
The food pathogen testing market is an integral part of the food industry. Food pathogen testing revolves around various research-oriented and laboratory-scale testing parameters to ensure food safety and quality. The testing involves different rapid detection methods to identify the potential microorganisms in various food products that are intended for nutrition.
The major rationales behind the successful outcomes of food safety include increased food security, nutritionally complete diets, etc. Moreover, the burden of acute and chronic diseases due to food-borne hazards and malnutrition is reduced. People are experiencing improved nutrient absorption and utilization. This will result in improved nutrition and health status.
The supply of nutritious food can be reduced due to market diversions and food-safety-driven recalls which can result in increased prices, decreased access, and affect the lives of producers. The guidelines related to processing, storage, or preparation, and food safety can have a great impact on nutritional quality. The nutritional policies can increase the demand for more nutritious foods and can impose challenges in front of the producers.
Asia Pacific dominated the food pathogen testing market in 2024.
Due to the enhancement of regional food safety. According to the 2024 flagship report by the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, the Asian region is implementing food safety as a crucial part of the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda for 2021-2025. Some of the principles of the Asian food safety approach include an integrated food chain approach, systematic risk analysis framework, science-based, independent risk assessment process, primary responsibility of food business operators, etc. This initiative aims to address the increasing concerns over food-borne illnesses by implementing various strategies to enhance food safety.
Several ASEAN Initiatives and Working Groups for Food Safety
Tests Performed by the National Centre for Food Science (NCFS) for Food Pathogen Testing
In April 2024, Singapore organized the Global Food Safety Initiative Conference 2024 to strengthen global food safety by combining the collective expertise and capability of policymakers and industry leaders.
North America is expected to witness the fastest rate of growth in the food pathogen testing market during the predicted timeframe. The initiatives aim to create awareness regarding food safety among consumers, manufacturers, and distributors. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced the launch of food awareness programs. These initiatives are contributing to build consumer trust and confidence in product sales. The rising prevalence of food-borne diseases and the implementation of stringent laws and regulations for food safety drive the regional market’s growth significantly.
Supportive Agencies in the United States Uplift the Food Pathogen Testing Market
In June 2024, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided updates on rapid pathogen screening methods. These methods are currently implemented by the FSIS laboratory systems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. experiences 48 million people getting sick, 128,000 getting hospitalized, and 3,000 dying each year from food-borne diseases. Moreover, the nation’s food safety system is being transformed through the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Europe is seen to grow at a notable rate in the food pathogen testing market in the foreseeable future. The increased focus on ensuring food safety for the entire population drives the need for technological advancements in Europe. The presence of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as an integral part of the EU Food Safety System helps to ensure safety in the food chain from farm to fork. It also aims to protect the health and lives of humans by considering the health and welfare of animals, plants, and the environment. The EFSA allows cooperation between policymakers and partners by providing scientific evidence.
Dynamic Growth of the Food Pathogen Testing Market in France
Consumers are greatly becoming aware of health issues and food safety. The French government, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, makes efforts to promote and enforce food safety regulations. The compliance with regulations empowers food manufacturers and retailers to invest in advanced technologies and advanced safety measures to meet regulatory requirements. The leading industries play a major role in maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
The E.coli segment dominated the food pathogen testing market in 2024.
E.coli is one of the most important microorganisms used for the monitoring of water and food safety. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), there are over 700 strains of E.coli found in nature, water, and foods. The associated nature of some of those E.coli strains with food poisoning outbreaks drives their expansion in this market. The expression of some of the virulence factors of E.coli can be observed in the form of endotoxins, exotoxins, invasion, adhesion, or iron acquisition factors.
The Salmonella segment is expected to witness the fastest rate of growth in the food pathogen testing market during the predicted timeframe.
The incidence of food-borne diseases in humans and animals due to the presence of Salmonella species drives segmental growth in the market. The emerging need for rapid detection methods for Salmonella species boosts efforts to prevent outbreaks of food-borne diseases.
The rapid segment will lead the food pathogen testing market in 2024.
Advancements in rapid detection methods or thermo-cycle amplification techniques such as conventional PCR, real-time PCR, and digital PCR encourage scientific and technological innovations. Furthermore, the introduction of new isothermal amplification techniques such as rolling circle amplification (RCA), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) many others contribute to the market’s expansion.
The traditional segment is observed to be the fastest growing in the food pathogen testing market during the forecast period.
The traditional methods include culture-dependent methods that have been used to detect and identify pathogens in food products. Traditional technologies or methods are expected to grow rapidly due to their simplicity, inexpensiveness, and less-time-consuming nature.
The processed food segment held the largest market share in the food pathogen testing market in 2024.
Processed food plays a major role in driving consumer well-being, quality assurance of foods, preservation of texture and taste, shelf-life determination, and brand reputation. They are nutritious with lots of moisture and meet quality and regulatory standards.
The dairy segment is seen to grow at the fastest rate in the food pathogen testing market in the upcoming years.
The emerging need to monitor various microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and molds in dairy food products to prevent the outbreak of pathogenic contamination drives segmental growth in the market. The implementation of specific tests to ensure the safety and quality of final dairy products from milk, yogurt, ice-cream, cheese, and dried milk drives the importance of the dairy segment.
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