Malaysia Food Safety Testing Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

Food Safety Testing Market Size

• The Malaysia food safety testing market size was valued at USD 69.96 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 122.01 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period
• The market growth is primarily driven by increasing consumer awareness of food safety, stringent government regulations, and the rising incidence of foodborne illnesses, prompting greater demand for advanced testing solutions
• In addition, the expansion of the food and beverage industry in Malaysia, coupled with growing export activities, is fueling the adoption of comprehensive food safety testing to meet international standards

Food Safety Testing Market Analysis

• Food safety testing ensures the quality and safety of food products by detecting contaminants, pathogens, and other harmful substances, playing a critical role in protecting public health and maintaining consumer trust
• The rising demand for food safety testing in Malaysia is driven by increasing urbanization, changing consumer preferences for processed and packaged foods, and heightened focus on compliance with global food safety standards
• These technologies enable faster and more accurate detection of contaminants, pathogens, and chemical residues, enhancing the efficiency of food safety testing
• This trend is enhancing the reliability and speed of testing, making it more appealing to food manufacturers and regulatory bodies aiming to ensure compliance with stringent safety standards
• The allergen testing segment dominated the largest market revenue share of 35% in 2024, driven by increasing consumer awareness of food allergies and stringent regulatory requirements for accurate allergen labelling to protect public health

Report Scope and Food Safety Testing Market Segmentation

Food Safety Testing Market Trends

“Increasing Integration of Advanced Technologies and Automation”

• The Malaysia food safety testing market is experiencing a notable trend toward the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation in testing processes
• These technologies enable faster and more accurate detection of contaminants, pathogens, and chemical residues, enhancing the efficiency of food safety testing
• AI-driven platforms are being developed to analyze complex data sets from food samples, identifying potential safety risks, such as microbial contamination or pesticide residues, with greater precision
  • For instance, companies are leveraging AI and big data analytics to predict contamination risks in food supply chains and optimize testing protocols for specific food categories such as meat, dairy, and seafood
• Automation in testing laboratories is reducing human error and increasing throughput, making food safety testing more reliable and scalable
• This trend is enhancing the reliability and speed of testing, making it more appealing to food manufacturers and regulatory bodies aiming to ensure compliance with stringent safety standards

Food Safety Testing Market Dynamics

Driver

“Rising Demand for Safe and Clean-Label Food Products”

• Growing consumer awareness of foodborne illnesses and the demand for clean-label, safe food products free from harmful contaminants are major drivers for the Malaysia food safety testing market
• Testing types such as allergen testing, pathogen testing, and pesticide testing ensure food safety across various categories, including meat and meat products, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and processed foods
• Government regulations, such as those enforced by the Malaysian Department of Chemistry and the Ministry of Health, mandate rigorous testing to comply with global and local food safety standards
• The rise of international food trade and Malaysia’s significant agricultural sector, producing crops such as palm oil, fruits, and vegetables, further drives the need for comprehensive testing to meet export requirements
• Food manufacturers are increasingly adopting advanced testing technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and chromatography to ensure product safety and build consumer trust

Restraint/Challenge

“High Costs of Advanced Testing Technologies and Regulatory Compliance”

• The high initial investment required for advanced testing equipment, such as chromatography and spectrometry systems, and the integration of AI and automation technologies can be a significant barrier, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia
• Implementing and maintaining sophisticated testing technologies, such as biochip/biosensor and microarrays, involves complex processes and high operational costs
• Data security and privacy concerns are also a challenge, as food safety testing generates sensitive data related to food composition and contamination risks, raising issues about data breaches and compliance with data protection regulations
• The fragmented regulatory landscape across international markets complicates compliance for Malaysian food exporters, requiring tailored testing protocols to meet diverse standards
• These factors may limit market growth, particularly in cost-sensitive segments or regions with lower awareness of advanced testing benefits

Food Safety Testing market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of testing type, technology, and food categories.

• By Testing Type

On the basis of testing type, the Malaysia food safety testing market is segmented into allergen testing, pathogens testing, GMO testing, mycotoxins testing, nutritional labelling, heavy metals testing, pesticides testing, organic contaminants testing, chemical and nutritional testing, microbiological testing, residues and contamination testing, and others. The allergen testing segment dominated the largest market revenue share of 35% in 2024, driven by increasing consumer awareness of food allergies and stringent regulatory requirements for accurate allergen labelling to protect public health.

The pathogens testing segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, fueled by rising concerns over foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, along with government mandates for rigorous pathogen detection to ensure food safety. Advancements in rapid testing methods, such as PCR-based assays, are further accelerating adoption.

• By Technology

On the basis of technology, the Malaysia food safety testing market is segmented into culture media, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunoassay, chromatography and spectrometry, biochip/biosensor, microarrays, flow cytometry, rapid assay, convenience-based, and others. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) segment is expected to hold the largest market revenue share of 46.4% in 2024, owing to its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting pathogens and GMOs, making it a cornerstone for food safety testing. The introduction of advanced PCR methods, such as touchdown PCR, further enhances its dominance.

The rapid assay segment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by the rising demand for quick and cost-effective testing solutions. Rapid assays offer efficient detection of contaminants such as pathogens and toxins, catering to the needs of food manufacturers for high-throughput testing to meet regulatory compliance.

• By Food Categories

On the basis of food categories, the Malaysia food safety testing market is segmented into meat and meat products, egg and poultry products, fish and seafood, bakery products, cereals, grains and pulses, tea and coffee, herbs and spices, beverages, fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, honey, nuts and dried fruits, convenience foods, baby food, animal feed and pet food, tobacco, and others. The meat and meat products segment held the largest market revenue share of 43.5% in 2024, driven by heightened scrutiny over pathogen contamination and foodborne illnesses, necessitating robust testing protocols to ensure public health and safety.

The fruits and vegetables segment is expected to witness rapid growth from 2025 to 2032, fueled by increasing consumer demand for clean-label and pesticide-free produce. The need to monitor pesticide residues and ensure traceability in Malaysia’s agriculture-driven market further drives the adoption of comprehensive testing for this category.

Food Safety Testing Market Share

The food safety testing industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. (Switzerland)
• ALS (Australia)
• Intertek Group plc (U.K.)
• TÜV SÜD (Germany)
• QIMA (Hong Kong)
• Bureau Veritas (France)
• Mérieux NutriSciences Corporation (U.S.)
• AsureQuality (New Zealand)
• Cotecna (Switzerland)
• Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg)
• Shimadzu Corporation (Japan)
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.)
• PerkinElmer Inc. (U.S.)
• FOSS (Denmark)
• LexaGene Life Sciences, LLC. (U.S.)
• ROKA BIO SCIENCE (U.S.)
• TÜV NORD GROUP (Germany)

What are the Recent Developments in Malaysia Food Safety Testing Market?

• In July 2025, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) proposed comprehensive amendments to the Food Act 1983 (Act 281), inviting public consultation to enhance food safety and quality control across the supply chain. This initiative aligns with the National Policy on Good Regulatory Practice (NPGRP) 2021, which mandates periodic legislative reviews every five years. Key updates include stricter limits on trans fatty acids, removal of certain substances such as Colistin, and the introduction of new standards for probiotics, sweeteners, cocoa products, and irradiated packaging materials. These reforms aim to modernize Malaysia’s food regulations and ensure consumer protection
• In March 2025, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. launched the XP-Design Assay Salmonella Serotyping Solution, a cutting-edge molecular diagnostic tool for rapid and accurate identification of Salmonella serotypes in food and environmental samples. Utilizing real-time PCR technology with fluorescent probes, the assay enables precise detection of target DNA sequences, significantly improving outbreak response and environmental monitoring. The ready-to-use format ensures high specificity and minimal cross-reactivity. While not Malaysia-specific, this innovation is expected to influence global food safety protocols, including potential adoption by Malaysia’s Food Safety and Quality Program to strengthen pathogen surveillance
• In February 2025, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a key amendment to the Food Regulations 1985, introducing stricter protocols for imported food safety. Under the revised rules, all imported food must originate from facilities that comply with a recognized food safety assurance program, such as Food Safety Systems Management (FSSM), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These measures align with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 and empower MOH’s Food Safety and Quality Program to conduct audits and inspections, ensuring global compliance and consumer protection
• In October 2024, Bureau Veritas announced the sale of its global food testing business to Mérieux NutriSciences for an enterprise, as part of its LEAP 28 strategy to streamline operations and focus on core markets. The transaction includes 34 laboratories and 1,900 employees across 15 countries, covering microbiological, chemical, and molecular testing services. This strategic consolidation strengthens Mérieux NutriSciences’ global footprint especially in Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Americas—and may influence food safety service offerings in Malaysia, where enhanced testing capabilities are increasingly vital for regulatory compliance and public health
• In November 2023, QIAGEN launched a suite of new QIAcuity digital PCR kits and released Software 2.5, expanding the platform’s applications to include food safety, RNA/DNA quantification, and mycoplasma detection. The kits—such as the QIAcuity Mycoplasma Quant Kit, OneStep Advanced EG Kit, and mericon Food Testing Kits—offer enhanced sensitivity, precision, and regulatory compliance with frameworks from the US, EU, and Japanese Pharmacopeia. These innovations streamline workflows and reduce validation efforts, making them ideal for Malaysia’s evolving food safety landscape, where rapid, reliable testing is increasingly critical for public health and import screening

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