Australia Food Safety Testing Market Research, 2035
The Australia food safety testing market size was valued at $211.0 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $593.2 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 9.1% from 2024 to 2035.
Food safety testing refers to the scientific analysis and examination of food products to ensure that they are safe for consumption and free from harmful contaminants, pathogens, and adulterants. This testing involves a range of procedures and techniques designed to detect and quantify biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food.
The adoption of advanced testing technologies such as PCR, ELISA, and next-generation sequencing is pivotal in enhancing the ability to detect contaminants quickly and accurately. These technologies reduce the turnaround time for test results and improve the precision of detecting pathogens, allergens, and chemical residues. By leveraging these technologies, quicker responses to contamination incidents are ensured, thereby protecting public health, and maintaining consumer trust.
Key Takeaways
- By type, the pathogen segment dominated the market in 2023.
- By technology, the PCR-based Assay segment dominated the market in 2023.
- By food tested, the meat and meat products segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2023.
- By region, New South Wales dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2023. However, Queensland is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Market Dynamics
The increasing frequency of food contamination incidents is a significant driver for the food safety testing market. Outbreaks caused by pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria have raised public awareness and concern over food safety. For instance, as per the Australian Institute of Food Safety (2022), each year, an estimated 4.1 million cases of food poisoning are reported in Australia. These result in over 31,000 hospitalizations, 1 million visits to doctors and 86 deaths. These incidents not only cause health risks but also lead to substantial economic losses for the food industry owing to recalls, legal liabilities, and damage to brand reputation. Moreover, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 10 people fall ill from contaminated food annually, highlighting the critical need for food safety measures and testing. This increased demand for safety measures and testing is further sustained by stricter government regulations and standards aimed at preventing contamination and ensuring food quality. As a result, there is a growing demand for precise testing to ensure food products are safe for consumption.
The rising consumer preference for organic and non-GMO foods is significantly driving the food safety testing market. Consumers are increasingly seeking assurance that their food is free from harmful chemicals, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. This shift in consumer behavior necessitates stringent testing to verify organic and non-GMO claims, ensuring compliance with labeling standards and building consumer trust. For instance, consumer demand for organic food is growing at a rate of 20 to 30% per year. It is estimated that more than 6 out of every 10 Australian households now buy organic foods on occasion. As per the Australian organic industry, an industry that contributes over $2 billion annually to the national economy and 37% of organic shoppers increased their household food allocation to organic in 2020.
Strict regulations and standards are expected to significantly drive the food safety testing market growth in Australia. Authorities such as Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment enforce rigorous safety protocols to ensure food quality and safety. For Instance, FSANZ has strict guidelines for food contamination limits and regular inspections. According to the Australian Institute of Food Safety, foodborne illnesses affect 4.1 million Australians annually, prompting serious regulations. Compliance with these standards requires extensive testing to detect contaminants and ensure adherence to safety guidelines. The introduction of more comprehensive food safety laws, such as the Food Standards Code, necessitates advanced testing technologies and frequent inspections, thereby boosting the demand for food safety testing services. In addition, the global trade of food products requires meeting international safety standards, further compelling Australian food producers to invest in robust testing solutions. Consequently, strict regulations and standards are key drivers for the growth of the food safety testing market in Australia.
However, the high cost of advanced food safety testing equipment significantly restrains the market's growth. Advanced testing instruments such as mass spectrometers, chromatographs, and molecular analyzers are critical for accurate and comprehensive food safety analysis. However, their substantial initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs are excessive, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These companies struggle to afford the latest technology, limiting their ability to comply with strict safety standards and regulations. Moreover, the financial burden of purchasing and maintaining expensive testing equipment prevents new entrants from entering the market, restraint competition and innovation. This cost barrier is expected to lead to inadequate testing practices, potentially compromising food safety and quality. Consequently, the high cost of testing equipment slows the overall adoption of advanced food safety testing technologies, delaying the market's growth despite the increasing demand for safe and high-quality food products.
Segmental Overview
The Australia food safety testing market is segmented into type, technology, food tested, and region. By type, the market is classified into pathogen, genetically modified organism (GMO), chemical & toxin, heavy metals, radioactivity and others. By technology, the market is categorized into agar culturing, PCR-based assay, immunoassay-based, scintillation counters & Geiger counters, AAS & ICP-MS/OES and others. By food tested, the market is classified meat & meat products, dairy & dairy products, cereals, grains & pulses, processed food, seafood, and others. Region-wise, the market is analyzed across Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and Rest of Australia.
By Type
Depending on type, the Australia food safety testing market bifurcated into pathogen, genetically modified organism (GMO), chemical and toxin, heavy metals, radioactivity, and others. The pathogen segment dominated the market accounting for 30 to 35% of the market share in 2023. The chemical and toxin segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.
Moreover, the detection and prevention of pathogenic contamination are critical across various stages of food production, processing, and distribution. Advanced technologies in microbiology, molecular diagnostics, and rapid detection methods continuously evolve to enhance the sensitivity, specificity, and speed of pathogen detection.
By Type
Heavy Metals segment was the leading segment during forecast period.
By Technology
By technology, the PCR-based assay segment dominated the Australia food safety testing in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology allows the amplification and identification of specific DNA or RNA sequences associated with pathogens, allergens, and other contaminants in food samples. Moreover, the method offers rapid results with high specificity, making it ideal for timely and reliable detection of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter.
By Food Tested
The food safety testing market by food tested is categorized into meat & meat product, dairy & dairy product, cereal, grain, & pulse, processed food, and other ingredients. The meat & meat product segment dominated the market accounting for 23.1% of the market share in 2023. The cereal, grain, & pulse is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The meat and meat products segment dominated the Australia food safety testing market in 2023 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Moreover, the complexity of processed food formulations and ingredients requires sophisticated testing methodologies, including chromatography, PCR-based assays, and rapid microbiological testing, to detect and quantify contaminants accurately. These technologies enable manufacturers to meet stringent food safety regulations and maintain consumer trust in product quality and safety.
By Type
Heavy Metals segment was the leading segment during forecast period.
By Region
Region-wise, New South Wales is anticipated to dominate the market with the largest share during the forecast period. New South Wales (NSW) is dominant in Australia's food safety testing market due to its large population, robust food and agriculture industries, and proximity to major export markets. Sydney, the state's capital, serves as a hub for food manufacturing and distribution, necessitating stringent safety measures. Additionally, NSW is home to advanced research institutions and testing facilities, fostering innovation in food safety. The state's regulatory environment and government support for food safety initiatives further strengthen its position, making NSW a leader in the national market for food safety testing.
Competition Analysis
Players operating in the Australia food safety testing market have adopted various developmental strategies to expand their food safety testing market share, increase profitability, and remain competitive in the market. Key players profiled in this report include The major players operating in the Australia food safety testing market include Intertek Group Plc, SGS SA, TUV SUD AG, ALS Limited, BioRad Laboratories, AsureQuality Ltd, Eurofins Scientific, Bureau Veritas SA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., and DNV AS.
Some Examples of New Launches & Acquisitions in The Market
- In January 2024, Eurofins Scientific acquired ARL | ProMicro and ARL | EcoDiagnostics in the Western Australia Food market which serves a wide range of tests dedicated to food in microbiology, molecular biology, and chemistry.
- In May 2023, Eurofins Food Testing Australia Pty Ltd expanded its food microbiology offering in Sydney, at the 1500 m2 Eurofins Silverwater site which is a well-established PC2 Microbiology facility with about 60 staff.
- In March 2022, Intertek, a leading total quality assurance provider to industries worldwide, announced the launch of their new Vegan Foods Certification.
Key benefits for stakeholders
- The study provides an in-depth analysis of the market with current and future trends to elucidate the imminent investment pockets.
- Information regarding key drivers, restraints, and opportunities along with their impact analysis on the market is provided in the report.
- Porter's five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers and suppliers operating in the industry.
- The quantitative analysis of the Australia food safety testing market from 2023 to 2035 is provided to determine the market potential.
Australia Food Safety Testing Market Report Highlights
| Aspects | Details |
 By Type |
|
 By Technology |
|
 By Food Tested |
|
 Key Market Players | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., TUV SUD AG, Eurofins Scientific, DNV AS, SGS SA, Bureau Veritas SA, BioRad Laboratories, Intertek Group Plc, ALS Limited, AsureQuality Ltd |
Analyst Review
According to the top CXOs, ensuring food safety remains a paramount concern in Australia, which is driven by both regulatory compliance and the increasing consumer demand for safe & high-quality food products. From vantage point, the food safety testing outlook has undergone transformative changes, driven by technological advancements, regulatory pressures, and market dynamics. The adoption of advanced testing technologies such as PCR, ELISA, and next-generation sequencing is pivotal in enhancing the ability to detect contaminants quickly and accurately. These technologies reduce the turnaround time for test results and improve the precision of detecting pathogens, allergens, and chemical residues. By leveraging these technologies, quicker responses to contamination incidents are ensured, thereby protecting public health, and maintaining consumer trust.
Furthermore, the food safety testing market is set to benefit from the growing trend of digitalization. The integration of AI and machine learning in data analysis and predictive modeling provides real-time insights and improves traceability across the supply chain. This digital transformation is crucial for compliance with the strict standards set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and for meeting the expectations of both domestic and international markets. Moreover, from a strategic perspective, the shortage of skilled professionals in food safety testing presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Addressing this gap through targeted training programs and partnerships with academic institutions is essential for sustaining the industry’s growth.
The Australia food safety testing market registered a CAGR of 9.1% from 2024 to 2035.
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The forecast period in the Australia food safety testing market report is from 2024 to 2035.
The major players operating in the Australia food safety testing market include Intertek Group Plc, SGS SA, TUV SUD AG, ALS Limited, BioRad Laboratories, AsureQuality Ltd, Eurofins Scientific, Bureau Veritas SA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., and DNV AS
The Australia food safety testing market was valued at $211.0 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $593.2 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 9.1% from 2024 to 2035.
The Australia food safety testing market report has 3 segments. The segments are type, technology, food tested and region.
The emerging region in the Australia food safety testing market are likely to grow at a CAGR of more than 9.8% from 2024 to 2035.
Queensland will dominate the Australia food safety testing market by the end of 2035.
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