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Forecast Period
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2026-2030
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Market Size (2024)
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USD 55.25 Million
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CAGR (2025-2030)
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7.18%
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Fastest Growing Segment
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Pathogens
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Largest Market
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South India
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Market Size (2030)
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USD 83.94 Million
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Market Overview
India Food Safety Testing Market was valued at USD 55.25 Million in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 83.94 Million by 2030, with a CAGR of 7.18% during 2025-2030.
The India Food Safety Testing Market is expanding due to rising awareness of food safety and the need to prevent contamination. With a growing population and higher consumption of processed foods, demand for reliable testing systems has increased. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plays a key role in regulating production, setting quality standards, and ensuring compliance, which drives consistent market growth.
Testing in this sector includes microbiological, chemical, and physical methods. Microbiological testing detects harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Chemical testing identifies contaminants such as pesticides and additives, while physical testing assesses appearance, texture, and composition. Growing incidents of foodborne illnesses have made consumers more cautious, prompting manufacturers to invest in advanced testing systems to ensure product safety and maintain brand trust.
Technological progress, including the adoption of rapid testing methods like PCR and immunoassays, is improving speed and accuracy. These methods help producers release safe products faster and meet market demand efficiently. Urban regions currently lead in testing infrastructure due to higher demand for packaged food, but government-led programs are increasing awareness in rural and semi-urban areas as well.
Global trade has further intensified the need for strict food testing, particularly for imported items that must comply with Indian standards. Overall, stronger regulations, improved testing technologies, and growing consumer concern about food safety are driving the steady growth of the India Food Safety Testing Market.
Key Market Drivers
Increasing Incidence of Foodborne Illnesses
India has seen a sharp rise in foodborne diseases caused by contaminated food containing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These illnesses affect individual health and create a broader public health burden, highlighting the urgent need for food safety measures. Rapid urbanization, changing dietary habits, evolving food preferences, and population growth have increased contamination risks across the supply chain. According to an FSSAI report from August 2021, India experiences roughly 100 million foodborne disease cases annually, costing the nation about USD 15 billion. By 2030, these cases could rise to 150–177 million, emphasizing the importance of rigorous testing and quality control.
High-profile outbreaks underscore the need for robust food safety systems. Salmonella contamination in ready-to-eat snacks, excessive pesticide residues in vegetables, and pathogens in meat have threatened consumer health and undermined confidence in food products. Contaminated milk, adulterated spices, and bacterial issues in packaged foods have prompted product recalls, reinforcing the necessity for proactive testing to prevent hazards before products reach consumers.
In response, the Indian government has strengthened regulations, implemented rigorous standards, and increased surveillance to identify and mitigate risks. Food producers and manufacturers are adopting advanced testing technologies, including microbiological, chemical, and physical methods, as well as rapid and automated techniques, to ensure compliance and safety. Rising consumer awareness and demand for safer food are driving investment in testing infrastructure.
The growing complexity of India’s food supply chain, including imported and processed foods, further emphasizes the need for comprehensive testing solutions. Ensuring compliance with national safety standards for all food products is critical. As regulatory enforcement, technological advancement, and preventive approaches gain momentum, the India food safety testing market is poised for steady growth, addressing both public health concerns and consumer demand for safe, high-quality food.
Growing Government’s Focus On Strengthening
Consumer Awareness For Food Safety
Urbanization and changing consumer behaviors have increased the consumption of food from public establishments, raising concerns about food safety. To enhance awareness of food adulteration, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced several initiatives. In 2020, FSSAI launched the DART manual (Detecting Adulterants with Rapid Testing), a comprehensive guide for identifying common adulterants in oils, fats, sweeteners, grains, pulses, spices, salt, tea, coffee, artificial colors, and other contaminants. FSSAI also organizes awareness campaigns through exhibitions, melas, and events such as AAHAR International Food & Hospitality Fair, Indus Food, India International Trade Fair, the World Dairy Summit 2022, and the Mega Expo & Science Book Fair 2022 to educate consumers on food safety practices.
Growing awareness of the link between food safety and overall health has led consumers to be more selective in their purchases, driving the need for stringent testing protocols. In response, FSSAI and other regulatory bodies have implemented advanced measures. In March 2021, FSSAI introduced InFoLNet, an IT-based Laboratory Management System that connects laboratories through a centralized portal, streamlining food testing operations.
In August 2023, FSSAI launched Food Safety on Wheels (FSW), mobile testing vans equipped to reach remote areas for training and awareness programs. These units conduct simple tests for adulterants in milk, water, edible oils, and other daily consumables and are stationed at exhibitions and events. In July 2023, India introduced ‘SaNGRAH’ (Safe Food for Nations), a comprehensive initiative including a Global Food Regulatory Authorities Handbook, a common digital dashboard, and Food-o-Copoeia to enhance consumer knowledge and improve regulatory oversight.
These efforts reflect India’s commitment to proactive food safety, combining consumer education, digital tools, and mobile testing to ensure safer food, strengthen compliance, and expand the reach of food safety testing across urban and rural regions.
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Key Market Challenges
Lack of Infrastructure And Skilled Personnel
Ensuring the
safety of the vast and diverse food supply in the country requires robust
testing facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology. However, a
significant number of testing laboratories, particularly in smaller towns and
rural areas, lack the necessary infrastructure & modern equipment essential
to conduct comprehensive food safety assessments. The absence of modern testing
equipment, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) machines, limits the capacity of these laboratories to
detect contaminants accurately and efficiently.
Additionally,
the scarcity of proficient professionals in this field compounds the issue,
given the imperative need for specialized training in handling sophisticated
testing equipment.
Inconsistencies In Regulatory Enforcement And
Compliance
While central
regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) provide overarching guidelines, the implementation and adherence to
these regulations vary across different states. This lack of uniformity creates
a complex and fragmented regulatory environment, posing hurdles for businesses
operating on a national scale. Companies find themselves navigating a patchwork
of regulations, leading to increased compliance costs and operational
complexities.
The lack of
standardized practices also makes it challenging for food safety testing
laboratories to establish consistent protocols, hindering their ability to
offer streamlined services across diverse regions. This disparity hampers food
safety, creating gaps in risk identification and mitigation in testing.
Key Market Trends
Rise Of E-commerce In The Food Sector
According to IBEF, India has the world's second-largest online shopper base, which is rapidly expanding beyond major metropolitan areas, with three out of every five new shoppers since 2020 coming from Tier-3 or smaller cities. Projections indicate the number of online shoppers could reach 88 million in rural India and 263 million in urban centers. Online food shopping spans a range from everyday groceries to long shelf-life processed foods and fresh produce, including meals from aggregators like Zomato and Swiggy.
This surge in food purchases through e-commerce platforms introduces a layer of anonymity in the selection and consumption of products. To address this gap, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has, in recent years, reinforced regulations to make food available only after undergoing rigorous food safety testing and meeting established food standards. The FSSAI's 2025 guidelines emphasize updated standards for food additives and ingredients, enhanced safety audits, and stricter rules for packaging and labeling, including proposals for mandatory front-of-pack information on added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. This trend supports India's food testing market growth, empowering consumers and enabling them to make informed decisions about food acquisitions.
Rising Focus On Rapid And Portable Testing
Methods
Conventional testing approaches, such as culture-based methods, frequently involve prolonged procedures, causing delays in product release and distribution. Businesses are increasingly adopting innovative solutions like biosensors, PCR-based methods, and rapid testing kits to ensure efficient detection of contaminants, meeting the dynamic needs of the food industry and enhancing overall safety standards.
For instance, the need for expeditious testing methodologies is notably prominent in the dairy sector, where prompt identification of contaminants like antibiotics is imperative. In India, the ongoing issue of milk adulteration has prompted the creation and acceptance of swift testing technologies, including those promoted by the FSSAI's RAFT (Rapid Analytical Food Testing) initiative, that furnish prompt and precise outcomes, facilitating timely intervention and risk mitigation.
Segmental Insights
Contaminants Insights
Based on Contaminants, Pathogen testing dominates the
food testing market due to its critical role in ensuring food safety.
Pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, pose significant health
risks when present in food. Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses underscore the
importance of accurate and timely pathogen detection to prevent widespread
contamination. Stringent regulations, driven by health authorities like the
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), mandate comprehensive
pathogen testing to meet safety standards. With increasing consumer awareness
and a growing emphasis on preventive measures, the demand for robust pathogen
testing methods remains pivotal in safeguarding public health and maintaining
the integrity of the food supply chain.
Technology Insights
Based on technology, Traditional technology remains
dominant in the food testing market due to its established reliability and
regulatory acceptance. Methods like microbiological culture, ELISA, and PCR,
though considered traditional, provide accurate and validated results for
pathogen and contaminant detection. These methods have been widely accepted by
regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI). The familiarity, proven track record, and standardized protocols
associated with traditional technologies make them the preferred choice for
many food testing laboratories. While newer technologies are emerging, the
dominance of traditional methods ensures stability, regulatory compliance, and
consistent results in the food testing industry.
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Regional Insights
Based on
region, South India emerges as a dominant region in the food testing market due
to its robust food processing industry, increasing consumer awareness, and
stringent regulatory measures. States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala
have witnessed substantial growth in food-related businesses, leading to a
heightened demand for quality assurance through testing services. The presence
of major food testing laboratories, research institutions, and a proactive
approach by state governments in promoting food safety contribute to the
region's dominance. Additionally, the rising urbanization and changing consumer
preferences in South India further amplify the importance of comprehensive food
testing services in ensuring public health and compliance with standards.
Recent Developments
- In March 2025, the Government announced support for 100 new NABL-accredited food testing labs for FY2025–26 under MoFPI to strengthen national testing capacity, with recent lab inaugurations noted by the ministry leadership.
- In March 2025, at AAHAR 2025 (New Delhi), MoFPI highlighted rapid testing kits and digital traceability adoption in industry sessions on food safety, quality, and traceability.
- In May 2025, FSSAI issued an updated list of recognized food testing laboratories with current NABL accreditation validity, aiding compliance and procurement decisions for testing services
- In July 2025, Geo-Chem (Cotecna Group) launched a dedicated food testing laboratory in Unjha, Gujarat, a spices and oilseeds hub, expanding pesticide residue and contaminant testing capacity close to production clusters.
- In September 2025, Mérieux NutriSciences completed its global acquisition of Bureau Veritas’ food testing activities (initially announced in October 2024), consolidating a wider Asia-Pacific footprint with potential implications for India operations and service breadth.
- In December 2024, FSSAI intensified festive-season special surveillance drives focused on adulteration risks in categories like milk, sweets, and other high-consumption products during the holiday period.
- In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new microbiology laboratory and 17 Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) vehicles in Assam through a virtual event. The total value of these facilities is USD 1.57 million. This initiative by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Guwahati marks a significant advancement in food testing infrastructure across Assam. Furthermore, Assam received 17 mobile food testing laboratories, referred to as FSWs, as part of efforts to ensure food safety reaches every corner of the state.
Key Market Players
- SGS India Private Limited.
- TUV India Private Limited.
- Intertek India Private Limited.
- ALS Testing Services India Private Limited.
- BioMerieux India Private Limited.
- Qiagen India Private Limited.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories India Private Limited.
- Eurofins Analytical Services India Private Limited.
- Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Private Limited.
- Thermofisher Scientific India Private Limited
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By Contaminants
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By Technology
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By Food Tested
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By Region
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- Pathogens
- Pesticides
- Mycotoxin
- Allergens
- GMOs
- Others
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- Meat
- Dairy
- Poultry
- Processed Foods
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Seafood
- Cereals & Grains
- Others
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- North India
- South India
- East India
- West India
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Report Scope:
In this report, the India Food Safety Testing Market has been segmented
into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have
also been detailed below:
- India Food Safety Testing Market, By Contaminants:
o Pathogens
o Pesticides
o Mycotoxin
o Allergens
o GMOs
o Others
- India Food Safety Testing Market, By Technology:
o Traditional
o Rapid
- India Food Safety Testing Market, By Food tested:
o Meat
o Dairy
o Poultry
o Processed Foods
o Fruits & Vegetables
o Seafood
o Cereals & Grains
o Others
- India Food Safety Testing Market, By region:
o North India
o South India
o East India
o West India
Competitive Landscape
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of
the major companies presents in the India Food Safety Testing
Market.
Available Customizations:
India Food Safety Testing Market report with the
given market data, Tech Sci 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).
India
Food Safety 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]