|
Forecast Period
|
2024-2028
|
|
Market Size (2022)
|
USD 740.10 Million
|
|
CAGR (2023-2028)
|
5.91%
|
|
Fastest Growing Segment
|
PCR Based
|
|
Largest Market
|
North America
|
Market Overview
Global Food Allergen Testing Market has
valued at USD 740.10 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 5.91%
through 2028. Food safety and quality are significant concerns within the food
manufacturing, retail, and hospitality industries, as they greatly impact
productivity. There has been a global increase in food allergies, including the
number of allergens, sensitization rate, and prevalence rate. Proper
management, testing, and clear labeling of allergens in processed foods are
crucial to protect individuals with food allergies in the community. The
importance of allergen testing has grown, and testing laboratories play a vital
role in detecting these allergens. These laboratories primarily focus on
testing foods for the presence of allergens such as soy, dairy, peanut, tree
nut, and others.
Key Market Drivers
Rising
Cases of Food Allergies
Food allergy has emerged as a
significant public health concern, with children being the most vulnerable
population group. They are also two to four times more susceptible to other
allergic conditions, such as asthma or eczema. According to data from Food
Allergy Research & Education in 2021, one in ten adults and one in 13
children in America have different food allergies. The increasing prevalence of
food allergies has driven the global food allergen testing market reported to
medical establishments.
Food allergy affects a larger proportion
of children compared to adults, and reactivity to certain allergenic foods,
such as milk and egg, tends to be primarily outgrown. On the other hand,
allergy to other foods, like peanuts, generally persists. Lactose intolerance
is also a condition that is affecting a growing number of people worldwide.
Food testing labs are engaging in
mergers and acquisitions with other laboratories to enhance their testing
capabilities. For example, in June 2022, Eurofins Scientific acquired majority
stakes in Ajal Laboratories to expand its food and pharmaceutical testing
offerings in Saudi Arabia.
The increasing number of food allergy
cases has prompted public health authorities worldwide to take significant
measures to mitigate allergic reactions and their consequences. Government
support, awareness campaigns, private sector initiatives, and participation
from other stakeholders have elevated the prominence of food allergies among
all other types of allergies.
Consumer
Awareness and Demand for Label Transparency
Consumer awareness of food allergies and
the desire for label transparency have increased significantly. As consumers
become more conscious of allergen risks, they demand clear and accurate
allergen labeling on food products, which drives the need for robust allergen
testing methods.
Various food categories, including baby
foods, bakery and confectionery, dairy, beverages, convenience goods, and meat
products, can potentially trigger allergies. This has led to the growth of the
food allergen testing market. Additionally, due to substandard animal feed,
there is a risk of meat causing allergies in humans. Despite the food and
beverages industry witnessing an increased demand for animal feed additives to
enhance feed quality, the food intolerance testing market remains crucial in
addressing meat-related allergies.
While more than 170 foods are known to
cause allergies in sensitive individuals, the USDA and the FDA have identified
eight major allergenic foods based on the 2004 FALCPA (the Food Allergen
Labeling and Consumer Protection Act).
Growing
international Food Trade
The globalization of the food supply
chain has increased the complexity of allergen management for manufacturers and
importers. As food products are distributed across borders, allergen testing
becomes crucial to comply with different countries' regulations and protect
consumers from allergen exposure.
Ongoing advancements in food allergen
testing technologies have made testing more efficient, sensitive, and accurate.
New methods, such as PCR-based tests, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent
Assay), and LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry), have improved
the detection and quantification of allergenic proteins.
Increased
Government Regulations
High-profile food recalls related to
undeclared allergens or allergens cross-contamination have increased awareness
of the importance of accurate allergen testing and have spurred the
implementation of stricter testing protocols in the industry. Food allergen
management systems, including allergen testing, are becoming an integral part
of food safety management systems such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
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Key Market Challenges
Stringent
Food Safety Regulations
Numerous obstacles impede the accurate
diagnosis of food allergies (FA) in developing regions. Evidence suggests that
parents and healthcare workers in these areas lack sufficient knowledge about
food allergies, and in vitro diagnostic tests are not easily accessible. Early
diagnosis of FA is crucial for prognosis and proper nutritional management.
However, even in developed countries, there is a reported diagnostic lag of
four months, particularly in infants with less severe manifestations of non-IgE
mediated milk allergy. This situation is likely worse in developing countries,
as Aguilar-Jasso et al. discovered a 38-month delay in the diagnosis of FA in
North-Western Mexico.
The lack of food control infrastructure
and resources in developing countries, as well as technical difficulties in
sampling, testing, and protein identification, are expected to hinder market
growth. Currently, Middle Eastern and African countries, along with other
low-income nations, face limitations due to low awareness about food allergens
and intolerance testing. Additionally, the lack of government initiatives, poor
economies, and overall lack of awareness among individuals regarding
food-related allergies will impede the market's progress. Nevertheless, every
country must adhere to guidelines established by different authorities, which
may pose challenges to the growth of the global food allergens and intolerance
testing market.
Lack
of Standardization
The absence of standardized methods and
reference materials for allergen testing can create variability in results
between different testing laboratories and methods. Standardization is
essential for ensuring consistency and reliability in allergen testing across
the food industry.
Detecting allergens in food products,
especially at trace levels, can be difficult. Cross-contamination during food
processing or inadequate cleaning of equipment may lead to allergen presence in
foods, making it challenging to ensure accurate allergen testing.
Key Market Trends
Rapid
Testing Methods
There was a growing demand for rapid
allergen testing methods that provide quick and accurate results. These methods
allowed for faster decision-making in food production and distribution,
enabling timely recalls or corrective actions if allergens were detected.
Advancements in testing technologies
were leading to improved sensitivity and specificity in allergen detection.
High sensitivity allowed for the detection of allergens at lower
concentrations, while high specificity reduced the risk of false positives. Point-of-care
allergen testing devices and kits were emerging, allowing for on-site testing
at food processing facilities and restaurants. Point-of-care testing offered
real-time results, facilitating rapid decision-making and allergen management.
Technological
Advancement for Testing
Next-generation sequencing technologies
were increasingly explored for allergen testing, providing a comprehensive
analysis of food samples and the identification of multiple allergenic proteins
simultaneously.
Remote sensing and imaging technologies
were investigated for their potential to detect allergens in food products
without the need for physical sample collection and testing.
The food allergen testing market saw a
shift towards digitalization and data management solutions. These technologies
facilitated the storage, analysis, and retrieval of allergen testing data,
ensuring better traceability and transparency in the supply chain.
Segmental Insights
Test Type Insights
The increasing prevalence
of food allergies among consumers has heightened health consciousness, leading
to advancements in food allergen testing methods and driving the growth of this
segment. For instance, according to the CDC/National Center for Health
Statistics in 2023, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 4 U.S.
children reported having a food allergy. Furthermore, approximately 6% of U.S.
adults and children have a food allergy, which further propels the growth of
this segment throughout the projected period.
Source
Type Insights
Peanut and soy are anticipated to garner increased attention in the
source segment of the global food allergen testing market, given that peanut
allergy is the most prevalent and frequently encountered allergy across all age
groups. On the other hand, soy allergy is more commonly observed in children
and infants. When peanuts enter the body, some individuals' immune systems
overreact and perceive the peanut protein as a threat, resulting in peanut
allergy. This allergic reaction can manifest as irregular breathing rate,
throat swelling with pain, sudden drop in blood pressure, pale skin or blue
lips, fainting, and dizziness, potentially leading to severe consequences.
Notably, peanut allergy is most prevalent in the United States, affecting 1 in
250 children and 1 in 70 adults. Furthermore, the incidence of peanut allergy
in the US has tripled due to the consumption of counterfeit peanuts, although
the exact cause remains unclear.
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Regional Insights
The North
American food safety testing market is a prominent regional market for food
safety testing. The prevalence of food poisoning and foodborne diseases in the
region contributes to the market's growth. Salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli,
and listeria are common pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses.
Salmonella can infect vegetables, chicken, eggs, beef, and pork, while
campylobacter is primarily transmitted through chicken. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 48 million
people in the United States are affected by food poisoning each year. Among
them, 128,000 require hospitalization, and 3,000 succumb to foodborne diseases
annually. As a result, consumers in the region are increasingly demanding accountability
in food safety. The growing demand for enhanced food safety, along with the
implementation of government regulations like the FDA Food Safety Modernization
Act (FSMA), is driving the market's growth in the United States.
Recent Developments
September 2021: SGS SA inaugurated the Advance Center of Testing
(ACT) at its laboratory premises in Ambattur, Chennai, India. The ACT offers
prompt and precise services to the agriculture and food industries.
April
2022: Mérieux NutriSciences, a global leader in food safety, quality, and
sustainability, is pleased to announce the acquisitions of Hortec Pty Ltd
(“Hortec”) in South Africa and Laboratorios Bromatológicos Araba, S.A.
(“Aralab”) in Spain. Hortec Pty Ltd specializes in testing for pesticide
residues in fresh produce and other undesirable or regulated residues in
various food commodities, while Laboratorios Bromatológicos Araba, S.A. is
renowned for its comprehensive microbiology, chemistry, and consulting
services.
In
December 2020, Eurofins Scientific introduced the SENSI Strip Allergen product
range, enabling the detection of food allergens in packaged food products. This
strategic product launch significantly enhanced the company's product
portfolio.
April 2021: SGS SA announced that the National Accreditation Board
for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has expanded the scope of its
accreditation to include the SGS laboratory in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. This
expansion encompasses the testing of ethylene oxide (EtO) and ethylene
chlorohydrin (ECH) residues in herbs, spices, condiments, plant derivatives,
and oilseeds.
In October
2020, NEOGEN Corporation unveiled a novel food extraction method to broaden the
capabilities of Reveal 3-D food allergen tests for direct testing of food products.
The new Reveal 3-D product enables swift screening of food and ingredient
samples, with buffer options available for egg, coconut, hazelnut, soy, peanut,
and almond tests. This impactful product release facilitated the expansion of
the company's food safety product portfolio.
Key Market Players
- 3M
- Als Limited
- Asurequality Limited
- Auriga Research
- Bureau Veritas
- Eurofins Scientific Se
- Intertek Group Plc
- Merieux Nutrisciences
- Microbac Laboratories Inc
- Neogen Corporation
|
By Test Type
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By Source
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By Technology
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By Food Type
|
By Region
|
|
Allergen Testing
Intolerance Testing
|
Peanut and Soy
Wheat
Milk
Egg
Tree Nuts
Seafood
Others
|
PCR (Polymerase Chain
Reaction)-Based
Immunoassay
Based/ELISA
Other
Tests/Techniques
|
Bakery and
Confectionery
Infant Food
Processed Food
Dairy Products and
Alternatives
Seafood and Meat
Products
Other Foods
|
North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
South America
Middle East &
Africa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Report Scope:
In this report, the Global Food Allergen Testing Market has been segmented into the following
categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed
below:
·
Food Allergen Testing Market, By Test Type:
o Allergen Testing
o Intolerance Testing
·
Food Allergen Testing Market, By Source:
o Peanut and Soy
o Wheat
o Milk
o Egg
o Tree Nuts
o Seafood
o Others
·
Food Allergen Testing Market, By Technology:
o PCR (Polymerase Chain
Reaction)-Based
o Immunoassay Based/ELISA
o Other Tests/Techniques
·
Food Allergen Testing Market, By Region:
o North America
§
United
States
§
Canada
§
Mexico
o Europe
§
France
§
United Kingdom
§
Italy
§
Germany
§
Spain
o Asia-Pacific
§
China
§
India
§
Japan
§
Australia
§
South
Korea
o South America
§ Brazil
§ Argentina
§ Colombia
o Middle East & Africa
§
South
Africa
§
Saudi
Arabia
§
UAE
§
Kuwait
§
Turkey
§
Egypt
Competitive Landscape
Company
Profiles: Detailed
analysis of the major companies present in the Global Food Allergen Testing
Market.
Available Customizations:
Global Food Allergen Testing Market report with the given market data,
TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific
needs. The following customization options are available for the report:
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to
five).
Global Food Allergen Testing Market is an upcoming report to be
released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm
the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]