Food Listeria Testing Market Size (2024-2030)

The global food Listeria testing market reached a valuation of USD 2.58 Billion and is anticipated to achieve a market size of USD 4.2 Billion by the conclusion of 2030. Through the forecast period spanning 2024 to 2030, the market is forecasted to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.4%.

Market progression is steered by the rising instances of Listeria infections arising from contaminated food items, stringent regulatory frameworks concerning food safety, and the escalating demand for packaged and convenience foods. Additionally, the surge in the need for swift and precise detection methodologies, advancements in testing techniques, and the heightened focus of enterprises on broadening their product arrays to meet the escalating demand are all anticipated to propel market growth during the projected period. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the food Listeria testing market owing to the proliferation of numerous food safety testing facilities and rigorous food safety regulations.

Industry Overview:

Food Listeria testing involves the process of identifying the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogenic bacterium, in food commodities. This bacterium can result in severe illnesses, particularly among pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. Listeria contamination can manifest in various food products such as dairy, meat, seafood, and produce. The food Listeria testing market is primarily propelled by the mounting demand for food safety, stringent regulations pertaining to food safety, and the escalating incidents of foodborne illness outbreaks. The market features a diverse array of testing methodologies, encompassing culture-based techniques, molecular-based approaches, and immunoassays. The increasing adoption of rapid and accurate testing methodologies is predicted to govern the evolution of the food Listeria testing market in the upcoming years. Key market players are concentrating on devising innovative testing solutions and expanding their global footprint through mergers and acquisitions.

COVID-19 Impact on the Food Listeria Testing Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought significant repercussions on the food industry, including the food Listeria testing market. With the onset of the pandemic, numerous countries enforced lockdowns and restrictions that disrupted the supply chains and distribution networks of food products. Consequently, this surged the demand for food safety testing to ascertain the safety and quality of food items. However, the pandemic has also ushered in adverse effects on the food Listeria testing market. The closure of several food processing plants resulted in diminished business operations for testing services, consequently leading to a decline in revenue for testing

firms. Moreover, the closure of borders and restrictions on international trade contributed to a decrease in the export of food items, further impacting the demand for testing services. Despite the challenges encountered by the food Listeria testing market amid the pandemic, it is anticipated to continue its growth trajectory in the post-pandemic era. With the burgeoning demand for safe and high-quality food products, food safety testing is poised to remain a pivotal facet of the food industry. As nations gradually recuperate from the pandemic and recommence their economic activities, the food Listeria testing market is projected to witness growth, propelled by the mounting need for testing services to ensure food safety.

Market Drivers:

The escalating apprehension regarding food safety serves as a catalyst for the global food Listeria testing market expansion:

The mounting awareness pertaining to foodborne illnesses has instilled a growing concern among consumers regarding the safety and quality of food products. Consequently, there has been a surge in demand for food testing, including Listeria testing, to ascertain the consumability of food items.

Rigorous regulations and standards concerning food safety propel the market growth for food Listeria testing:

Governments and regulatory bodies across the globe have enforced stringent regulations and guidelines pertaining to food safety and quality. For instance, the FDA in the United States has implemented a zero tolerance policy for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods. These regulations have engendered a robust demand for reliable and accurate testing methodologies, thereby propelling the growth of the Food Listeria testing Market.

Market Restraints:

Stringent Regulations Curtail the Growth of the Food Listeria Testing Market:

The growth trajectory of the Food Listeria testing market is influenced by consistent rules and regulations set forth by various governmental bodies. These regulations are instituted to ensure the safety and quality of food products. However, complying with these regulations can prove to be a costly and time-intensive endeavor, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which might impede the market's growth.

The High Cost of Testing Hampers the Growth of the Food Listeria Testing Market:

Conducting Food Listeria testing can entail significant expenses for food manufacturers and retailers. The costs associated with testing equipment, reagents, and skilled labor can accumulate, especially for companies boasting a vast product portfolio. The exorbitant cost of testing might dissuade certain companies from conducting frequent tests, thereby heightening the risk of Listeria contamination and product recalls. This impediment could also restrict the adoption of Listeria testing by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lacking the resources to invest in testing equipment and labor.

Market Segments:

This research study on the global Food Listeria Testing Market has been categorized according to Technology, Sample Type, End-user, and Region.

Food Listeria Testing Market – By Technology

• Culture-Based Methods
• PCR-Based Methods
• Immunoassay-Based Methods
• Others

The food Listeria testing market is witnessing advancements in various technologies utilized for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food items. The segment of culture-based methods currently holds the largest market share owing to its notable accuracy and sensitivity. Nevertheless, PCR-based methods and immunoassay-based methods are gaining popularity due to their rapidity, specificity, and ability to detect minimal contamination levels. Recently, rapid techniques such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and real-time PCR have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional culture-based methods. Furthermore, the increasing integration of automation within the food industry has led to the creation of automated Listeria testing systems that offer heightened accuracy and reduced turnaround time for results. For instance, in May 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. unveiled the Applied BiosystemsMagMAXMicrobiome Ultra Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit, facilitating high-throughput extraction of microbial DNA and RNA from food samples for Listeria monocytogenes detection. Additionally, the demand for portable and user-friendly Listeria testing kits has spurred the development of innovative technologies such as lateral flow assays and biosensors, offering swift detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples. In March 2021, Puritan Medical Products, a producer of specimen collection devices, introduced the Puritan BactiGuard Nucleic Acid Extraction Kit for detecting Listeria monocytogenes in food samples using PCR-based methods.

Food Listeria Testing Market – By Sample Type

• Food
• Environmental

Within the Food Listeria testing market, the segment for sample types is bifurcated into food and environmental samples. The food sample type is anticipated to dominate the market share due to the rising occurrences of foodborne illness outbreaks attributed to Listeria bacteria. Stringent regulations concerning food safety and quality standards by governmental and regulatory bodies have propelled the adoption of Listeria testing within the food industry. Additionally, the surge in demand for packaged and processed foods has further bolstered the maturity of the food sample type segment in the Listeria testing market. In recent developments, in March 2021, 3M Food Safety unveiled the 3M Petrifilm Listeria monocytogenes Rapid Plate, a new addition to its portfolio of food safety testing solutions. The Petrifilm Listeria monocytogenes Rapid Plate delivers results within 24 hours, significantly reducing the time required for Listeria testing. This technology-based solution streamlines the testing process for food manufacturers, diminishing the risk of contamination and ensuring food safety. Moreover, in January 2020, Quidel Corporation launched the Solana Listeria, a new Listeria testing system utilizing PCR-based technology to provide rapid and accurate results within 60 minutes.

Food Listeria Testing Market – By End User

• Food Manufacturers
• Food Testing Laboratories
• Restaurants & Catering
• Others

The food manufacturers segment commands a significant share in the food Listeria testing market due to the enforcement of stringent regulations pertaining to food safety by diverse food regulatory bodies. The segment of food testing laboratories is poised for substantial growth owing to the escalating demand for testing services to comply with food safety regulations. In recent developments, in October 2021, MérieuxNutriSciences, a global entity in food testing and safety, announced the acquisition of a majority stake in QLab, a leading food testing laboratory in Brazil. This acquisition aims to fortify MérieuxNutriSciences' position within the Latin American market. Furthermore, in May 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Thermo Scientific SureTect Listeria species assay designed for the detection of Listeria species in food and environmental samples. The assay ensures rapid and precise results, thereby reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. The segment of restaurants and catering is also anticipated to experience growth due to the mounting demand for food safety testing services by food service establishments to uphold the quality and safety of their food products.

Food Listeria Testing Market – By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

The food Listeria testing market is poised for remarkable growth across various regions worldwide in the forecast period. In North America, market growth is expected owing to the stringent food safety regulations imposed by governmental bodies to prevent Listeria contamination in food products. Europe is anticipated to maintain a substantial market share due to the rising demand for food safety testing and the presence of key market players within the region. The Asia Pacific region is forecasted to witness significant growth owing to the increasing awareness regarding food safety and the surge in foodborne illness cases, particularly in countries such as India and China. The Middle East and Africa regions are expected to exhibit moderate growth, attributed to the escalating investments in the food and beverage industry and the growing demand for food safety testing within the region. In South America, Brazil is expected to lead the market due to the high consumption of processed food products and the heightened implementation of food safety regulations within the country.

Major Key Players in the Market:

1. 3M Company
2. Agilent Technologies, Inc.
3. bioMérieux SA
4. Bruker Corporation
5. Danaher Corporation
6. Merck KGaA
7. Neogen Corporation
8. PerkinElmer, Inc.
9. QIAGEN N.V.
10. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Market Insights and Developments:

• In January 2021, Neogen Corporation announced the launch of a new rapid foodborne pathogen test capable of detecting Listeria in environmental samples, such as food processing facilities and equipment. This test provides results within just 60 minutes, facilitating faster detection and remediation of Listeria contamination.
• In November 2020, bioMérieux unveiled a new molecular biology test for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food. Leveraging real-time PCR technology, this test offers results in 24 hours, enabling food manufacturers to promptly identify and address Listeria contamination.