Market Trends of Middle East and Africa Food Safety Testing Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the MEA Food Safety Testing Market according to our research experts:
Consumer Interest in Food Safety Testing and Quality is Growing
Across the region, the frequency of food-borne illnesses is increasing, and frequent differences in food safety and quality standards disrupt the international food trade. As a result, food safety is an important component of human health, and food and nutrition security, as well as determining market access and promoting economic growth.
The demand for high-quality food has continuously grown over the last several decades, owing to rising consumer awareness of food quality issues, as well as other considerations such as health and environmental repercussions. With changing dietary habits, the growth of chain restaurants, and the globalization of the food sector, food safety is becoming increasingly important.
As the world's food supply has grown more globalized, the need to strengthen food safety systems inside and between countries has become more apparent. Because of the rising population and greater awareness of the cleanliness of food production, the public and private sectors are being pushed to embrace hygienic food production. This is where the food safety standard requirements come into play, ensuring that the food business conforms with the law.
Due to the increase in literacy rates and more and more people joining the workforce, consumers in the Middle East & Africa are becoming more aware of the food they consume. This factor has helped contribute to the increase in the number of food safety testing laboratories in the region, thereby, augmenting the growth of the market.
All these factors are expected to push the market significantly during the forecast period (2022-2027).
Increase in Number of Food Fraud Cases and Strict Government Laws are Propelling the Growth of the Food Safety Testing Market
Food fraud cases have become more common due to increased rivalry among food producers, which has led to a purposeful replacement, tampering, misrepresentation of food goods, defective packaging, and false advertising of the products. Small players are tampering with processed and ordinary food goods, including milk, using melamine, urea, and other substances to help their commercial benefits. While there are many sorts of food fraud, some of them can directly endanger consumer health while others are typically done for financial benefit.
To make the food seem better or more valuable, there is widespread intentional fraud and food adulteration on the market. However, significant corporations are creating fraud mitigation techniques in conformity with federal rules and regulations. For instance, the Trade Associations-sponsored Produce Traceability Initiative seeks to implement case-level electronic traceability in the fresh produce business across the Middle East & Africa.
In the past few years, even before COVID-19, governments across the region have been forming strict regulations with respect to food safety to protect consumer health, by ensuring that food products consumed, distributed, marketed, or produced meet the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. These governments have also been taking stringent action in countries like the United Arab Emirates, which imports a significant portion of the food it requires. The United Arab Emirates passed legislation on food safety, launched the National Rapid Alert System for Food, introduced the National Food Accreditation and Registration System, and implemented controls on imported food for non-trading uses.
