Microbial contamination occurs due to the presence of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Although contamination is undesirable in the food system, some microbes are beneficial, and their presence is necessary in certain foods. Hence, the process of microbial detection is complex in the food processing industry. Microbial food contamination can occur at any stage of the food chain, including pre- and post-harvesting, processing, packing, transportation, and distribution. The increasing incidence of foodborne diseases has led to a rise in demand for microbial contamination detection systems.
Microbial Contamination Detection: Key Developments and Latest Innovations
Food Processors use different technologies to analyze microbial toxins in food and beverage samples. They use various test kits such as ELISA assays, real-time PCR tests, nutrient plates, and agar plates. Further, for detecting pathogenic bacteria, immunological methods (ELISA) are available. However, there are various nascent innovative technologies which are helping the food processors to detect the microbial contamination in food samples.
Nano Sensors
These nascent sensors leverage the unique physical and chemical properties at the nanoscale to enhance the detection of microbial contamination. It helps the food processors to comply with food safety protocols. The applications of the nanosensors range from real-time monitoring of pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It also helps to assess environmental factors affecting food quality. These innovative devices demonstrate unparalleled advantages over conventional detection methods.
Patch-Based Biosensors
These are flexible, often skin-mountable devices that are used to detect specific analytes in food samples. These biosensors provide real-time monitoring and analysis of the food samples. These sensors monitor various parameters, such as enzymes, antibodies, or DNA, to detect specific molecules or pathogens.
Next Generation Sequencing
The technology helps study the genetic variation and rapidly determines the sequence of DNA or RNA. It helps in the study of genetic variations and other biological phenomena. This technology provides detailed insights into microbial populations and their functional capabilities within food samples.
Microbial Contamination Detection Systems: Key Companies
Mettler Toledo
The company manufactures the 7000RMS Microbial Detection Analyzer. It is a rapid, online system for real-time monitoring of microbial contamination in water. It uses laser-induced fluorescence and Mie scattering to detect and quantify microorganisms. Mettler Toledo is one of the largest manufacturers of contaminant detection in food systems.
Hygiena
The company manufactures several devices for rapid microbial detection, monitoring, and identification solutions. Hygiena serves a wide range of industries such as food and beverage, health care, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and personal care. It utilizes advanced technologies and patented designs to provide industry-leading microbial screening solutions.
Innovate is a premier product of the company, which offers rapid product testing for food & beverage manufacturers. It helps to rapidly confirm the quality of their product inventory for fast, efficient, and safe product release.
Microbial Contamination Detection System: Market Analysis
According to Future Market Insights, the global sales of microbial identification stand at USD 4.69 billion in 2025. The market is estimated to reach a value of USD 10.31 billion by 2035. The market will expand at a CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period between 2025 and 2035. The revenue generated by microbial identification in 2024 was USD 4.33 billion.
Key Drivers
Foodborne Illnesses
The increasing incidence of foodborne illness is one of the major drivers of this industry. The early testing and detection system helps to cut healthcare costs and reduce public health issues. Improperly cooked food and water may carry pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. It leads to widespread outbreaks of diseases. Microbial identification systems help in tracing and managing such pathogens in the food supply chain.
Contemporary Events
There have been various factors, such as global travel, urbanization, and climate change, which have led to recent and re-emerging infectious diseases. The outbreak of COVID-19 is an example of such contemporary events. These events have underscored the need to identify pathogens immediately and stop disease transmission through faster microbial diagnostics.
Regulatory Mechanism
The global regulatory mechanisms are being tightened by the regulatory bodies such as the US FDA and EFSA in Europe. To comply with these regulatory mechanisms, the food processors require advanced testing mechanisms. This trend has led to the development of the nascent technologies and innovations in the food testing domain, expanding its market.
Microbial Contamination Detection: Global and National Standards
US Food and Drug Administration
The USFDA’s Office of Microbiological Food Safety (OMFS) looks after the microbial contamination in food. It utilizes information from past outbreaks and other data and information to develop targeted, risk-based approaches. These approaches help to prevent contamination and address specific hazards before they lead to incidents. The regulation requires regular inspections and ongoing monitoring for important elements of the FDA’s comprehensive food safety approach. It is complemented by proactive measures and collaboration with stakeholders across the food supply chain. This approach aims to ensure health and wellness and safeguard the food supply, and prevent issues before they occur.
FSSAI Standards
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the nodal body for food safety in India. The body sets the microbiological standards for food products to ensure safety and prevent foodborne illnesses. These standards include acceptable levels of microorganisms, sampling procedures, and laboratory testing methods.
Microbial Limits
The body provides limits for total bacterial count, coliforms, yeasts and molds, and specific pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli for various food products. These limits may vary for different food products. For example, in ready-to-eat food, the total bacterial counts must not exceed 10^5 CFU/g.
Total Aerobic Plate Count
The FSSAI sets the total aerobic plate counts for different products differently. For some of the products it must be less than 50,000 per gram, while for others, it may cross this upper limit.
Conclusion
The increasing consumers’ awareness towards the packaged food and the stringent regulatory standards by the national and international bodies has led to the expansion in the microbial detection system market. The market analysis is showing an expansionary trend. Further, the increasing global burden of the food borne disease has given the further bright prospects to this market.