The United States has one of the most advanced and highly regulated food safety ecosystems in the world, yet food allergies continue to impact millions. With allergens often hidden in everyday products, food allergen testing has emerged as a crucial safeguard for consumers and manufacturers alike. According to Renub Research, the United States Food Allergen Testing Market is projected to reach US$ 451.58 million by 2033, up from US$ 245.63 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 7.00% from 2025 to 2033. The rapid evolution of testing technologies, stricter labeling regulations, rising allergy cases, and growing demand for processed and packaged foods are collectively fueling this growth trajectory.
What is Food Allergen Testing and Why Does It Matter?
Food allergen testing involves identifying proteins or compounds that may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Using cutting-edge technologies like PCR, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and biosensors, manufacturers detect allergens even in trace amounts. Common allergens include peanuts, soy, wheat/gluten, dairy, shellfish, eggs, and tree nuts.
With increasing dependence on packaged, convenience, and ready-to-eat foods, the probability of cross-contamination during production and packaging has also intensified. Allergen testing enables brands to:
Ensure accurate labeling
Meet FDA compliance
Prevent legal risks and recalls
Improve consumer trust
Protect high-risk populations from severe reactions
Today, food allergen testing is no longer optional—it’s a non-negotiable pillar of food safety.
Market Drivers: What’s Pushing the Growth?
1. Rapid Technological Innovation
Advancements in detection technologies are enhancing speed, sensitivity, and accuracy. In March 2024, Gold Standard Diagnostics launched the SENSIStrip Gluten PowerLine lateral flow test, a game-changer in gluten detection. It features:
A monoclonal antibody for reduced false negatives
Automated readings via RapidScan ST5 for high accuracy
Enhanced reliability across multiple food matrices
The company also plans to extend this technology for peanut and soy allergen detection, demonstrating how companies are rapidly evolving to meet industry needs.
2. Growing Consumer Awareness
Food allergies are no longer niche health concerns. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE):
1 in 13 children in the US has a food allergy
33 million Americans live with potentially life-threatening food allergies
Every 10 seconds, an allergy emergency leads to an ER visit
Social media, labeling transparency, and advocacy campaigns have empowered consumers, pressuring brands to invest in rigorous allergen screening.
3. Strengthening Regulatory Framework
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tightening allergen compliance norms. Draft guidance documents emphasize:
Cross-contact prevention
Strong supply-chain allergen management
Clear advisory labeling
Accountability without prescribing rigid testing methods
Manufacturers increasingly adopt PCR and immunoassay-based testing to align with regulatory expectations and avoid product recalls or lawsuits.
4. Shift Toward Packaged & Convenience Foods
From frozen meals and instant snacks to meal kits and infant formula, processed food consumption has skyrocketed. Each added ingredient increases the risk of allergen presence, making routine allergen testing an essential stage in food quality assurance.
Key Challenges
Despite strong market momentum, obstacles remain:
1. High Testing Costs
Advanced PCR machines, ELISA kits, and lateral flow devices are expensive. Small and mid-scale manufacturers struggle with:
High set-up costs
Frequent testing expenses
Maintaining margins while ensuring compliance
2. Slow Turnaround Times
PCR-based tests, though accurate, may take hours to days to deliver results. This slows production cycles, delays product releases, and affects supply chains. While rapid test kits exist, they often trade off either speed, accuracy, or cost, creating a persistent industry bottleneck.
State-Wise Market Insights
Food allergen regulations and adoption rates vary across US states. However, California, Texas, New York, and Florida lead the market, driven by high population density, strict laws, strong food processing industries, and increasing health awareness.
California
The most regulation-driven market in the US
Strong demand for gluten, soy, and nut testing
Driven by a large health-conscious and vegan population
Texas
Home to major food manufacturing and agricultural hubs
Strong focus on compliance and large-scale production testing
Growing consumer demand for allergen-free packaged goods
New York
High consumer awareness and strict allergen transparency rules
Dominated by restaurant chains, retail food brands, and premium packaged foods
Strong push for clean label and high-accuracy allergen detection
Florida
Thriving tourism and hospitality sector increases demand for allergen-safe menus and packaged foods
Strong focus on seafood, packaged meals, and restaurant allergen testing
Year-round agricultural production pushes allergen screening standards higher
Other rapidly growing states include Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Washington, North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, and Michigan, collectively shaping the national food allergen testing landscape.
Market Segmentation at a Glance
By Technology
Biosensors-based
Immunoassay-based / ELISA
PCR
Other Technologies
By Food Tested
Dairy Products
Bakery and Confectionery
Meat and Seafood
Baby Food and Infant Formula
Beverages
Other Processed Foods
By States
California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, New Jersey, Washington, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, Colorado, Tennessee, Indiana, Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Connecticut, South Carolina, Oregon, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Rest of the US.
Competitive Landscape & Major Companies
Market leaders are strengthening portfolios through:
Rapid detection technologies
Global testing network expansions
Strategic partnerships and certifications
Top companies include:
Eurofins Scientific SE
SGS S.A.
Bureau Veritas
Intertek Group plc
Romer Labs Diagnostic GmbH
Microbac Laboratories Inc (U.S.)
Mérieux NutriSciences
Crystal Chem Inc.
All companies are analyzed on:
✔ Overview
✔ Key Decision-Makers
✔ Recent Developments
✔ Revenue Insights
Future Outlook: Where Is the Market Headed?
Over the next decade, the US food allergen testing industry will be shaped by:
AI-powered allergen screening
Faster point-of-use detection kits
Digitized traceability and smart labeling
Expansion of allergen testing for pet food and nutraceuticals
Growth in clean-label and free-from food categories
Manufacturers that fail to invest in testing risk recalls, regulatory penalties, and reputation damage, while those that adopt testing innovation early will gain consumer loyalty and market leadership.
Final Thoughts
Food safety today is not just about hygiene—it is about precision, transparency, and accountability. With allergies rising and regulations tightening, allergen testing has evolved into a core industrial standard, not an optional safeguard. The next phase of growth will favor brands that integrate speed, accuracy, and affordability into their testing workflows.
The United States Food Allergen Testing Market stands on the frontline of this transformation—and its growth is only just beginning.