Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Market (2026 - 2033)

Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Market Summary

The global molecular methods for food safety testing market size was valued at USD 2.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 3.1 billion in 2026 to USD 5.6 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2026 to 2033. North America dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 37.0% in 2025. The market is primarily driven by the increasing incidence of food contamination, the growing burden of foodborne illnesses, and the rising demand for rapid and accurate pathogen detection technology.

Source: Grand View Research, IR Documents, Primary Interviews, Paid Databases

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates released in June 2026, more than 866 million people worldwide suffered from foodborne illnesses, underscoring the growing public health burden of unsafe food. The rising incidence of foodborne illnesses is accelerating the adoption of molecular testing methods that deliver rapid, reliable food safety analysis.

Food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemical hazards continues to pose a significant global public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) has more than 200 diseases associated with contaminated food. In 2026 WHO published the foodborne disease burden, further indicating that children under five years of age continue to account for a disproportionate share of foodborne illnesses and remain at the highest risk of severe health outcomes. These trends are increasing demand for advanced molecular food safety testing technologies capable of rapid pathogen identification and regulatory compliance.

In May 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program to strengthen the reliability and consistency of food safety testing. Under the program, the FDA recognizes accreditation bodies authorized to accredit laboratories conducting specific food testing activities. Laboratories subject to applicable FDA regulations are required to use LAAF-accredited facilities, thereby supporting broader adoption of standardized molecular food safety testing methods.

Analyst Perspective

Rising regulatory emphasis on food safety, increasing incidence of foodborne illnesses, and growing demand for rapid pathogen detection continue to support the molecular methods market in the food safety testing industry. Widespread adoption of PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and other molecular diagnostic technologies is improving testing accuracy, reducing turnaround time, and strengthening compliance with food safety regulations across the food value chain. Ongoing investments in laboratory expansion, automation, assay development, and strategic collaborations are further enhancing molecular testing capabilities. However, high implementation costs, specialized laboratory infrastructure requirements, and complex validation procedures continue to present challenges for broader market adoption.

Technology Insights

The polymerase chain reaction segment led the market with the largest revenue share of around 37.5% in 2025. The segment's dominance is attributed to the widespread adoption of PCR for rapid, sensitive, and highly accurate detection of foodborne pathogens across commercial laboratories and food processing facilities. PCR enables early identification of microorganisms by targeting specific DNA sequences, supporting compliance with increasingly stringent food safety regulations and quality assurance requirements. Furthermore, the expansion of molecular food testing laboratories is strengthening demand for PCR-based testing solutions. For instance, in October 2024, Mérieux NutriSciences announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire the worldwide food testing business of Bureau Veritas. The acquisition includes microbiological, chemical, and molecular testing laboratories across 34 laboratories in 15 countries, strengthening the company's global molecular food testing capabilities.

The biosensors segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing demand for rapid, portable, and real-time food safety testing is expected to support segment growth. Biosensor technologies enable rapid detection of pathogens, toxins, allergens, antibiotics, and pesticide residues while reducing testing time compared to conventional laboratory methods. Continuous advancements in biosensor sensitivity, miniaturization, and automation are further expanding their adoption across food manufacturing, processing, and quality control applications.

Product Insights

The reagents & consumables segment led the market with the largest revenue share of over 62.0% in 2025. The segment accounted for the largest share owing to the recurring consumption of reagents, assay kits, extraction chemicals, enzymes, primers, and other laboratory consumables required for routine molecular food safety testing. Increasing testing volumes across food manufacturers, regulatory laboratories, and third-party testing organizations continue to support recurring product demand. Furthermore, laboratory network expansion is increasing the utilization of molecular testing workflows. For instance, in January 2025, Mérieux NutriSciences completed the acquisition of Bureau Veritas' food testing activities in the U.S. and Canada, integrating 12 laboratories and approximately 400 employees. The expanded laboratory network is expected to increase utilization of molecular testing workflows and associated reagent and laboratory consumable consumption.

The services segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing outsourcing of food safety testing by food manufacturers, stricter regulatory compliance requirements, and expanding laboratory networks are expected to support demand for molecular food testing services. Global testing organizations such as ALS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek Group plc, and Food Safety Net Services (FSNS) continue to expand food testing capabilities across microbiological and molecular testing applications. In addition, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has established an extensive network of food testing laboratories comprising accredited, state, and referral laboratories, supporting the expansion of food safety testing infrastructure across the country.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global molecular methods for food safety testing market with the largest revenue share of approximately 37.0% in 2025. The regional market is supported by stringent food safety regulations, a well-established laboratory infrastructure, and widespread adoption of molecular diagnostic technologies across the food industry. Increasing investments by food testing organizations to expand laboratory capacity and strengthen rapid pathogen detection capabilities are further supporting market growth. For instance, in October 2024, SGS North America announced the expansion of its food and nutraceutical testing laboratory in Fairfield, New Jersey, increasing its capacity for DNA-based molecular pathogen testing, food hygiene analysis, and environmental monitoring to meet growing industry demand for food safety testing.

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U.S. Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Market Trends

The molecular methods for food safety testing market in the U.S. accounted for the largest market revenue share in North America in 2025. Strong regulatory oversight, extensive food safety surveillance programs, and increasing adoption of rapid molecular diagnostic technologies continue to support market growth. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately 48 million Americans experience foodborne illnesses annually, underscoring the need for rapid, accurate pathogen detection throughout the food supply chain.

Europe Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Market

The molecular methods for food safety testing market in Europe held a significant market share in 2025. Increasing emphasis on food safety surveillance, regulatory compliance, and collaborative pathogen monitoring programs continues to support market growth across the region. Furthermore, strategic collaborations between food testing organizations and food manufacturers are strengthening predictive food safety capabilities. For instance, in April 2024, bioMérieux and Mérieux NutriSciences announced the launch of a Trusted Third Party collaborative initiative with leading food companies to enhance pathogen surveillance, predictive food safety, and preventive quality management through advanced molecular testing technologies.

Asia Pacific Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Market Trends

The molecular methods for food safety testing market in the Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Growing investments in laboratory infrastructure, regional food safety programs, and cross-border regulatory collaboration are accelerating the adoption of molecular food testing technologies. For instance, the Food Safety Asia (FSA) network brings together food safety institutions across Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East to strengthen regional food safety cooperation and laboratory capabilities.

The India molecular methods for food safety testing market is expected to grow at a significant share in the Asia Pacific in 2025, owing to increasing government emphasis on strengthening food safety infrastructure and laboratory capabilities. In February 2024, the Government of India announced multiple food safety and laboratory infrastructure projects across several states to improve food quality monitoring and strengthen regulatory oversight. Such initiatives are expected to accelerate the adoption of advanced molecular food safety testing technologies across the country.

Key Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Company Insights

The molecular methods for food safety testing industry is characterized by the presence of established global diagnostics and food testing companies focusing on assay development, laboratory expansion, strategic partnerships, and distribution collaborations to strengthen their molecular testing portfolios and expand their global market presence.

Key Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Companies

The following key companies have been profiled for this study on the global molecular methods for food safety testing market:

• QIAGEN

• 3M

• Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd.

• NEOGEN CORPORATION

• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

• BIOMÉRIEUX

• ArcherDX, Inc.

• HiMedia Laboratories.

• Eurofins Scientific

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, Hygiena and DKSH announced the expansion of their exclusive partnership into Malaysia to strengthen the distribution of Hygiena's food safety and molecular diagnostics portfolio, expanding customer access to rapid microbial and molecular testing solutions across the Malaysian market.

• In January 2025, Neogen Corporation launched the MDA2 Quantitative Salmonella Molecular Detection Assay. The assay combines PCR-based molecular detection with Quantitative Rapid Enrichment Dehydrated (QRED) media, enabling improved Salmonella quantification for poultry and food testing laboratories while strengthening rapid molecular pathogen detection capabilities.

Global Molecular Methods For Food Safety Testing Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global molecular methods for food safety testing market report based on technology, product, and region:

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

  • Immunoassay

  • Biosensors

  • Microarray

  • Others

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Instrument

  • Reagents & Consumables

  • Services

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait