5 Changes in Microbiological Testing for the Food Industry

The globalization of the food supply chain and the growing concern over food safety expressed by the public has placed heavy demands and expectations on the food microbiology diagnostics sector. Players in the field describe this as a challenging and critical time which presents a mixed bag of fortunes. As it is with any market dynamics, those who are well informed stand to reap the most.

Strategic Consulting, Inc. (SCI) has published two new data reports that reveal five major trends in the food testing domain that will shape 2014.

1. A Global Upsurge in Food Microbiology Testing

Food processing facilities from around the world are experiencing a marked increase in food microbiology testing. This trend can be explained by a number of factors.

First among them is the growing public concern. Every time the media, which is the main catalyst, reports of a food recall, the public’s sensitivity toward food safety grows an inch higher.

The increase in regional and country-specific regulations pertaining to food safety also contributes to the upsurge in food microbiology testing. The Food Modernization Act instituted in the United States and the food safety action plan for China are among the major legislation pieces that target food safety testing.

In order to avoid the huge costs linked to food recalls, their impact on the bottom line and overall business brand, many food processing companies have decided to adopt food microbiology testing.

2. An Increase in Usage of Rapid Microbial Methods (RMM)

In the 1980s, usage of traditional food testing methods was rampant. At present, many food plants have increasingly embraced modern testing technologies such as rapid microbial methods so as to meet the upsurge in testing requirements. The adoption of these methods however varies per region.

3. Growing Popularity of Food Contract Testing Labs

Previously operating at the background and shadows of food plants, the role played by food contract testing labs is becoming dominant by the day. This is partially attributed to the fact that food plant labs need a lot of investment, expertise and documentation. Many food plants would not want to go this way for fear of diverting from their core business and investing too much of their resources in these facilities.

Food contract labs have also embraced the accreditations expected of them therefore becoming more competitive in compliance compared to the labs in food companies. In particular, North American food contract labs have experienced more business compared to their European and Asian counterparts.

4. A Growing Demand for Environmental Testing

Environmental testing is usually done as a validation measure for food factories. Tightened legislative frameworks such as the FSMA will have a significant impact on the aspect of environmental testing. FSMA seeks to increase particularly pathogen-related environmental testing in at least 80% of the plants under the administration of the Foods and Drugs Act. This will scale up the legislative demand for environmental testing into the future.

5. Intensifying Concerns over Salmonella

The stubbornness of Salmonella has attracted the attention of food safety specialists. As opposed to other pathogens that have drastically reduced, Salmonella has still maintained its historic levels. This is in addition to the emerging concerns that some strains of Salmonella are becoming antibiotic resistant. This means that the pathogen will have to be treated using the same approach as E. coli O157 which will affect food safety. These developments among others will put Salmonella at the center of global food safety and testing discussions.

In developing its reports, SCI interviewed quality control managers in food plants across the globe. Also, one-on-one discussions with experts in food safety stretching from government and industry, academia and diagnostic test manufacturers were used to extract insights for the reports.

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