The North American food safety testing market is projected to be worth $5,460 million by 2018, according to "North American Food Safety Testing Market by Contaminants (Pathogen, GMO, Toxin, Pesticide), Technology (Traditional & Rapid), Food Types (Meat & Poultry, Dairy, Fruit & Vegetable, Processed Food) & Geography - Trends & Forecast to 2018," a report that defines and segments the North American food safety testing market with analysis and forecasting of revenue and volume for the food safety testing.

The report, produced by Markets and Markets, Asia, also identifies driving and restraining factors for the food safety testing market with analysis of trends, opportunities, burning issues, winning imperatives and challenges. The market is segmented and revenue is forecasted on the basis of North American countries such as United States, Canada and Mexico.

The food safety testing was conducted at every stage of food production and supply, i.e., procurement, processing, packaging, storage and transportation etc. Increasing outbreak in foodborne illnesses, food recalls and increasing consumer demand for safe food and implementation of food safety regulations were key drivers for food safety.

In 2012, pathogens testing in food samples dominated the safety testing market, as pathogen contamination was responsible for maximum cases of food poisoning and food recalls in North America. Salmonella contamination was responsible for most of the registered food recalls by FDA in the United States during the same period. Testing of processed food dominated the market in North America.

Adoption of new advanced technology
Market players focused on application of rapid testing methods that provide quick and accurate qualitative and quantitative results on contaminants. In 2012, United States was the largest food safety testing market with 70% of share followed by Canada and Mexico.

In 2012, rapid testing method was dominated by PCR-based methods, followed by immunoassay-based methods.

The leading players in the food safety testing market, according to the study, are:

• SGS SA (Switzerland)

• Bio-Rad Laboratories (Hercules, Calif.)

• Intertek (U.K.)

• Eurofins (Des Moines, Iowa)

• Bureau Veritas (France)

These players focused on introducing new products and services, mergers, acquisitions and expansion of their business segments to maintain their position in the market.