India Food Pathogen Testing Market By Type, By Food Type, By Technology, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030

India Food Pathogen Testing Market was valued at USD 694.45 Million in 2024 and is anticipated to project impressive growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 9.21% through 2030.

The population of India has been increasing rapidly, leading to a surge in the consumption of packaged food. These food items include a wide range of options, such as ready-to-cook meals, frozen snacks, dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits, baked goods, and poultry produce. With the growing demand for these processed food items, there is a higher risk of contamination by various microorganisms, commonly known as bacteria or pathogens. These harmful microorganisms can infect the food items during the manufacturing and packaging process. It is crucial to highlight the potential health risks associated with consuming contaminated food. From mild to severe health issues, the consequences can vary greatly. Therefore, it is essential for consumers to be aware of the importance of food safety and take necessary precautions to protect their health. For instance, in February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated a microbiology laboratory and 17 Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) vehicles in Assam, worth INR 13.11 crore. Set up by FSSAI in Guwahati, the lab strengthens food testing infrastructure in the region. The FSWs, equipped with modern tools and trained personnel, aim to improve testing efficiency, deliver training, and raise food safety awareness, especially in remote areas. The lab will play a vital role in detecting pathogens and ensuring food safety across the state.

The India food pathogen testing market is witnessing strong growth due to increasing awareness of food safety and rising health concerns among consumers. With growing urbanization and a surge in demand for processed and packaged foods, regulatory bodies are enforcing stricter food safety standards. This has prompted food producers and suppliers to adopt advanced pathogen detection methods. Technologies like PCR and immunoassays are gaining prominence for their accuracy and speed. Despite challenges such as infrastructure limitations and high testing costs for small businesses, the market continues to expand. Key testing areas include meat, dairy, seafood, and ready-to-eat food products.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Consumer Awareness

Consumer knowledge plays a pivotal role in shaping market trends, and this holds true for the food pathogen testing market in India. As consumers become increasingly cognizant of the importance of food safety and the potential hazards of foodborne pathogens, their demand for stringent food pathogen testing is growing. This heightened awareness can be attributed to various factors, including increased exposure to global food safety standards, a rise in reported incidents of foodborne illnesses, and widespread educational campaigns on food safety practices. Consumers are now actively seeking transparency and assurance of safety in their food choices. They are concerned about the origin and handling of their food, the presence of contaminants or harmful substances, and the overall quality of the products they consume.

In response to this growing demand, the food pathogen testing market in India is expanding rapidly. Testing laboratories and companies are investing in advanced technologies and methodologies to meet the increasing requirements for accurate and reliable testing. This positive shift towards ensuring the safety and quality of food products is crucial in building consumer trust and confidence in the market. The implementation of stricter regulations and standards by government bodies and food regulatory authorities has further propelled the growth of the food pathogen testing market. These regulations aim to enforce higher levels of safety and hygiene across the food industry and ensure that consumers have access to safe and quality food.

Key Market Challenges

Inconsistent Regulation

While India has established national standards for food safety, the enforcement of these regulations at a ground level is often inconsistent, resulting in food products that have not undergone proper safety tests entering the market. This inconsistency in regulation enforcement can be attributed to multiple factors, including inadequate manpower, corruption, and lack of awareness among the enforcers about the importance of stringent food safety measures. There exist gaps in the regulatory framework, which lead to certain sectors of the food industry being exempt from mandatory pathogen testing. These loopholes further exacerbate the challenge of ensuring food safety across all sectors of the industry. For instance, small-scale food producers may not be subjected to the same rigorous testing requirements as larger manufacturers, increasing the risk of contaminated or unsafe products reaching consumers.

To combat this issue and enhance food safety measures, it is imperative to implement a comprehensive approach. This includes improving regulatory oversight by strengthening monitoring systems and increasing the frequency of inspections. Additionally, closing regulatory gaps is crucial to ensure that all food producers, regardless of their size or sector, adhere to the same stringent standards. This can be achieved by revisiting and updating existing regulations to address any loopholes that allow for non-compliance. Furthermore, increasing awareness about the importance of food safety among both enforcers and food industry stakeholders is vital. Training programs and educational campaigns can be developed to provide knowledge and understanding of best practices in food safety. By empowering enforcers with the necessary expertise and creating a culture of accountability, the enforcement of food safety regulations can be significantly improved.

Addressing the inconsistencies in the enforcement of food safety regulations in India requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. By strengthening regulatory oversight, closing gaps in the regulatory framework, and increasing awareness, significant progress can be made towards ensuring food safety across all sectors of the industry and safeguarding the health and well-being of consumers.

Key Market Trends

Globalization of Food Supply

The globalization of India's food supply presents unique challenges and opportunities in the realm of food safety. With the increasing import and export of a wide variety of food products, it becomes crucial for India to adhere to international food safety standards meticulously. Consequently, this has led to an increased demand for comprehensive and reliable food pathogen testing methods that can ensure the safety of food products entering and leaving the country, safeguarding consumers from harmful contaminants.

To further elaborate, the necessity to standardize food safety not only protects consumers but also enhances the credibility of India's food industry in the global market. By ensuring that food products meet the highest safety standards, India can build a strong reputation for producing safe and reliable food items. This, in turn, can attract more international business opportunities and strengthen the country's position in the global food market.

Given the rise in import-export activities, the food pathogen testing market in India is experiencing significant growth. As more food products are being traded across borders, the demand for reliable testing methods to detect and prevent foodborne pathogens is on the rise. This creates a promising opportunity for companies specializing in food safety testing, as they play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of India's food supply chain.

The globalization of India's food supply has presented both challenges and opportunities in the area of food safety. By prioritizing adherence to international standards and implementing robust food pathogen testing practices, India can build a strong foundation for a safe and credible food industry, fostering growth and success in the global market.

Key Market Players

• SGS India Private Limited
• Eurofins Analytical Services India Private Limited
• TUV India Private Limited
• Intertek India Private Limited
• Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Private Limited
• Thermofisher Scientific India Private Limited
• BioMerieux India Private Limited
• HiMedia Laboratories Private Limited
• ALS Testing Services India Pvt Ltd
• Qiagen India Private Limited

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Food Pathogen Testing Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

India Food Pathogen Testing Market, By Type:

• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Listeria
• Others

India Food Pathogen Testing Market, By Food Type:

• Meat & Poultry
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Dairy Products
• Processed Food
• Others

India Food Pathogen Testing Market, By Technology:

• Rapid Technology
• Traditional Technology

India Food Pathogen Testing Market, By Region:

• North
• South
• West
• East

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Food Pathogen Testing Market.

Available Customizations:

India Food Pathogen Testing Market report with the given market data, TechSci 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).