FOOD ALLERGEN TESTING MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Challenges And Opportunities

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 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.

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.