Global approaches to food safety are also evolving as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the foundation for ensuring safety, laboratories enable:
1. Monitoring pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pathogens.
2. Preventing outbreaks of foodborne illness.
3. FSMA/USDA registration in the USA and Codex Alimentarius compliance in the European Union.
4. Maintaining local and international competitiveness.
Increasing food contamination, strict regulatory requirements, consumer awareness, technological advancements and global trade are driving the food safety testing market.
Currently, geopolitical complexity complicates global logistics. This, along with tariff conflicts, causes costs to rise and freight to become more complex, leading to increased regulatory control.
Furthermore, food safety and quality regulations are being tightened, with ever-increasing demands on producers, whether small or large.
As a result of climate change, water, energy, farmland, and phytogenetic resources are being used more efficiently and sustainably, to adapt to changes in climates and conditions.
Further, with population growth and the development of countries seeking standardized marketing channels and seasonal flows of food, from different origins, to meet consumption and demand 365 days a year, global food consumption is on the rise.
Increasing consumer power and urbanization have resulted in an increase in food safety and quality. Demographic changes and a gradual shift in eating habits are expected to boost the industry and certain niches (such as gluten-free).
Small and medium producers are also held to the same quality and safety requirements as large companies for food supply and quality.
Who controls what we eat?
As profit margins for agri-food companies tighten, and production costs rise, agri-food laboratories emerge as agents for ensuring quality, sustainability, and profitability.
Global food consumption is expected to increase by 8.1 percent from 2024 to 2032, growing from $21.6 billion in 2023.
As a result of technological advancements, digitalization, artificial intelligence, market demand adaptation, and specialization, agricultural laboratories constantly adapt to remain safe. It offers more sophisticated, reliable, fast, and personalized services.
Some of these major strategies include: Technological Efficiency in Instrumental Equipment:
Technological improvements in cutting-edge instrumental techniques, with increasingly faster, more powerful and 'intelligent' equipment. For example, pesticide analysis by LCMS and GC-MS can now provide a screening of more than 800 active substances in just over 15 minutes.
Inclusion of Rapid Testing:
Automation and rapid testing methods are being developed by key market players.
As food processing and testing infrastructure is modernizing, automated and rapid testing solutions are in high demand in both developed and emerging markets. New test methodologies can be accredited, such as rapid biosensors or metagenomic analysis.
With precision farming on the rise, rapid testing continues to grow, driving its market dominance, now over 50 percent by 2024.
Agri-food laboratories are crucial for ensuring quality, sustainability, and profitability as profit margins tighten and production costs rise
Inclusion of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Use in Predictive and Analytical Dynamics
AI is also being implemented in laboratories through digitalization and data mining processes, which provide a semiautomated approach to interpreting analytical results, reducing operational costs and response times, and enabling global postanalysis of results.
Machine learning models can be trained with historical food data to predict future events. Factors such as location, season, and type of food involved can be used to anticipate possible incidents and take preventive action in advance.
Talent Acquisition and Specialization in Laboratory Human Capital:
Technology advancements and digitalization have not changed the significance of humanity in the TIC sector. For TIC companies, versatility and forward-thinking are essential. AI, sustainability, and essential technical skills are essential.
Sustainable experts ensure compliance with strict environmental regulations by using AI-based tools.
Digitalization, Automated Services and Robotization in Laboratories:
Through validated platforms, companies enable remote diagnostics and facilitate self-service and automated review of certain testing and inspection processes.
As inspection and certification offerings evolve, operational expenses are reduced with self-service kits, automated document reviews, and remote testing.
In addition, remote audits and validations are being conducted post-pandemic, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Duality: Global Offer Concentration Coexists with the Effectiveness of Local Laboratories
Across the globe, regional and multinational food safety testing companies dominate with organic and inorganic growth. In addition, local and regional laboratories provide excellent customer service and response times, and build strategic partnerships.
Mérieux NutriSciences acquires Bureau Veritas' global food analysis business, which will strengthen its global leadership in food testing, inspection, and certification.
With the deal, Mérieux NutriSciences gains access to new regions with significant growth potential in Asia-Pacific and Canada.
Responses to a Very Complex Regulatory Environment:
Testing protocols and compliance levels in agri-food laboratories are inconsistent due to the complex regulatory environment. Compliance problems and higher costs are generated when regulatory frameworks, testing methodologies, and compliance mechanisms differ, resulting in complexity.
Accreditation as a Passport for Food Export:
The European Union, the United States, Canada, or Japan require laboratories to perform food analyses to international standards. It is possible to lose millions of dollars if shipments are rejected or delayed.
As a technical-commercial passport, accreditation serves this purpose. ILAC and IAF, for example, recognize technical equivalence between laboratories across international borders. This accredited traceability can be achieved using technology such as blockchain.
The Laboratory Must Be Sustainable and a Guarantor of Its Clients' Sustainability:
The laboratories are exploring new growth opportunities and addressing changing consumer preferences.
Global developments and net zero emissions commitments make a strong climate mandate increasingly important. Energy efficiency and climate solutions have already been implemented by several TIC service companies, in addition to supporting clients.
To contribute to the circular economy and sustainability, TIC companies have developed capabilities in food testing and organic waste assessment.
Competitive Outlook:
As consumers become more health-conscious, it is essential to have accurate and reliable information about nutrition and contaminants in food.
As part of regulatory requirements, food testing laboratories use advanced methods to detect pesticides, heavy metals, and allergens. Consumers and producers save money and time by avoiding widespread recalls and protecting brand reputation via food testing laboratories.
As well as protecting food from contamination, analyzing food nutrition and certifying its origin and traceability are important to ensure the food people eat provides the desired nutrition.
