FOOD ALLERGEN TESTING MARKET ANALYSIS

The global food allergen testing market size was valued at US$ 774.2 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to witness a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2023 to 2030. The global food allergen testing market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to rising consumer awareness, Consumers are demanding fresh and healthier foods for which manufacturers are adopting stringent food safety standards. Additionally, the prevalence of food allergies in children is on the rise, which is again propelling the growth of the food allergen testing market.

Global Food Allergen Testing Market Drivers:

• Rising prevalence of food allergies among the population: The rising awareness about food allergies and improved diagnostic techniques have led to an increase in the number of reported cases. More people are seeking medical attention for symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing after consuming certain foods. For instance, in 2021, the number of reported cases of food allergies in the U.S. increased by 5% compared to the previous year.
• Favorable government policies and regulation: Favorable government policies and regulations are expected to augment the market growth. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is the body responsible for the regulations of processed food in the U.S. The Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) developed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 2004 is the primary federal law governing how allergens are represented on packaged foods sold in the U.S. The  Allergen  Bureau,  the  peak  industry  body  representing  food  industry  allergen management in Australia and New Zealand, has introduced various programs under the name Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling (VITAL), a standardized allergen risk assessment process for the food industry.                                                           

Global Food Allergen Testing Market: Regional Insights

• Regionally, North America is expected to dominate the global food allergen testing market over the forecast period owing to the presence of strict regulation pertaining to packaged food label. For instance, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 mandated the packaged food labels to include declarations of these allergens include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeanseight as a major food allergens either in the ingredient list or via a separate allergen statement. Additionally, increasing prevalence of food allergy among consumers is again propelling the regional market growth. For instance, according to Food Allergy Research & Education data from 2021, one in 10 adults and one in 13 children have different food allergies in the U.S. The increasing number of food allergies drives the global food allergen testing market.
• Asia Pacific is also expected to witness the fastest growth in the globally over the forecast period owing to the high prevalence of allergy among the population, which is encouraging food manufacturers to adopt food allergen testing for each food product. According to the Population Reference Bureau, children in China have higher allergy prevalence rates than adults, and the Population Reference Bureau indicates that between 3.8% and 7.7% of infants in China have food allergies. Food allergies are a growing concern in China, with the prevalence of food allergies increasing in recent years. The rising incidence of food allergies in China is attributed to several factors, including changes in dietary habits, environmental factors and genetic predisposition.

Global Food Allergen Testing Market Opportunities:

• Growing innovations in the field of food allergen testing: Growing innovations in the field of food allergen testing are projected to serve major growth opportunities over the forecast period. For instance, Molecular testing methods have been developed to provide more accurate and reliable results for food allergen testing. These methods use DNA-based technologies such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to detect the presence of allergens in food products. For instance, in 2022, a new molecular testing method was developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which uses a portable device to detect the presence of multiple allergens in food products.

• Growing penetration of Ally: Growing penetration of lollypop-shaped devices, called Ally, is expected to promote promising market growth opportunities for key players over the forecast period. The technology can analyze whether food contains lactose or not. The growing penetration of Ally devices is a significant development in the field of food allergy management. These devices provide a simple and easy-to-use solution for individuals with food allergies to detect the presence of allergens in food products, which can help to prevent allergic reactions. 

Global Food Allergen Testing Market Restraints:

• Lack of standardization in allergen testing practices: The lack of standardization in allergen testing practices is a significant challenge facing the food allergen testing market. The absence of standardized testing methods and protocols can lead to inconsistencies in results and make it difficult to compare data across different studies and regions. This lack of standardization can also lead to confusion among consumers and manufacturers, who may not be able to interpret the results of allergen testing accurately.
• Counterbalance: Food manufacturers and food laboratories have problems due to the lack of comparable food safety rules and testing standards around the world. Harmonizing legislation and testing processes across countries and regions can improve uniformity and ease trade.
• Technical challenges: Technical challenges associated with the sampling, testing, and protein identification could act as a restraint for the market over the forecast period.Food allergen testing is a complex process that involves several technical challenges. One of the main challenges is the detection of trace amounts of allergens in food products. Many individuals with food allergies are highly sensitive to even small amounts of allergens, which can make it difficult to detect the presence of allergens in food products accurately. Another technical challenge in food allergen testing is the development of reliable and accurate testing methods. There are several different testing methods available for allergen testing, including ELISA, PCR, and lateral flow assays. However, each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there is no single method that is universally accepted as the gold standard for allergen testing.
• Counterbalance: The 'elimination and challenge test' or the elimination tests are the first step in determining the likely culprit food. This food is reintroduced to assess if symptoms persist or if tolerance to the food has developed. If it is there, then it will help in determining the food intolerance of the individual and thus will the individual be benefitted technically by the test.

Figure 1. Global Food Allergen Testing Market Share (%), By Region, 2022

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Global Food Allergen Testing Market Segmentation:

The global food allergen testing market is segmented into technology, food tested, and region.

• Based on technology, the market is segmented into biosensors-based, immunoassay-based/ELISA, PCR, and other technologies. Out of which, Immunoassay-based/ELISA is expected to dominate the global market 40% over the forecast period. It is a primary detection technique used in any food allergen testing lab.
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) based segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future, and this is owing to the growing advancements in PCR testing technology. Additionally, the development of new PCR-based technologies is expected to drive the growth of the market. For instance, in 2022, a new PCR-based technology was developed by researchers at the University of California, Davis, which uses machine learning algorithms to detect the presence of multiple allergens in food products. This technology has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of allergen detection in food products, which can help to ensure the safety of food products for individuals with food allergies.
• Based on food tested, the market is segmented into processed food, baby food, and beverages. Out of which, processed food is expected to dominate the global market over the forecast period, and this is attributed to the growing demand for bakery and confectionery food products.
• The beverages segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future, and this is owing to the growing concern over allergen presence in the beverage, due to this, key manufacturers are offering screening food testing kits.

Figure 2. Global Food Allergen Testing Share (%), By Technology 2022

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Global Food Allergen Testing Market Trends:

• Smartphone-connected devices are gaining momentum in the market due to growing trend of digitalization worldwide.  For instance, Nima Labs (formerly known as 6Sensor Labs), introduced the Nima Peanut Sensor, the second in a planned line of connected devices that can scan foods for evidence of a particular allergen. The device can evaluate 10 parts per million or more peanut protein with 99.2% accuracy.
• Allergy rapid test are currently trending in the market as these devices do not take much time to evaluate allergen present in food. For instance, Fast Check POC 20 rapid allergy test entails some of the most prevalent allergies, inhalation, and food worldwide. Fast Check POC 20 is ideal for healthcare professionals to screen their patients for allergies during consultation.       

Global Food Allergen Testing Market: Key Companies Insights

The global food allergen testing market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the continuous launch of new technologies due to ongoing R&D and efforts by value chain participants. Moreover, the key players are adopting various business growth strategies in order to expand their presence on regional as well as global basis. Some of the key players in the global food allergen testing market are ALS Limited, Asurequality Ltd, SGS SA, Bureau Veritas, Eurofins Scientific SE, Intertek Group PLC, Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation, Microbac Laboratories Inc., Neogen Corporation, Omega Diagnostics Group PLC, Crystal Chem Inc., and Danaher Corporation.                                               

Global Food Allergen Testing Market: Key Developments

• In April 2021, SGS SA announced that the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) enhanced the scope of its accreditation to the SGS laboratory based in Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India.
• In April 2022, Mérieux NutriSciences, a global leader in food safety, quality, and sustainability, announced the acquisition of Hortec Pty Ltd (“Hortec”) in South Africa and Laboratorios Bromatológicos Araba, S.A. (“Aralab”) in Spain. Hortec Pty Ltd is specialized 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 known for comprehensive microbiology, chemistry, and consulting services.
• In September 2021, SGS SA launched the Advance Center of Testing (ACT) at its laboratory premises in Ambattur, Chennai, India. The ACT provides fast and precise services to the agriculture and food industries.
• In 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the development of a new allergen detection technology called the Ion Torrent Genexus System. The system uses next-generation sequencing technology to detect the presence of allergens in food products and can provide results in as little as 24 hours.

*Definition: Food allergen testing is an important service that helps verify if a final food product is free of allergens. Consumers need better quality foods with fewer preservatives. In addition, food safety standards are becoming more stringent.