Microbiology testing practices by food producers around the world vary extensively, according to Tom Weschler, president of Strategic Consulting and lead author of Food Micro—8. “The world’s food chain is becoming increasingly complex, with food shipments across borders growing at a very fast pace. Food safety officers for food companies using raw materials from around the world need to understand those variations, and establish expectations and practices with their suppliers and within their plants to ensure the safety of their food products,” Weschler said.

In the U.S., imported food now represents 15-20% of all food consumed. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), total imports have increased 7% per year since 1999. In the past ten years, imports of animal-based foods have increased by 5% and plant-based foods have grown more than 8%.

Strategic Consulting’s research shows a continued increase in worldwide microbiology test volumes over the last 15 years. Total test volumes have increased 128%, and testing for specific foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli grew at an even faster rate. In 1998, pathogen testing represented just 13.7% of total food microbiology tests conducted, while today pathogen testing represents 23.2% of all such tests.

Food Micro—8 is based on detailed interviews conducted by Strategic Consulting and integrated into its database of food microbiology diagnostics trends and practices, which has been built, analyzed and published in eight market research reports over the last 15 years. Delivering both extensive new data and a detailed historical perspective, Strategic Consulting market research reports are widely accepted by leading diagnostic manufacturers and investors as highly credible analyses of the industry.

For more information about Food Micro, Eighth Edition: Microbiology Testing in the Global Food Industry (Food Micro—8) visit http://www.Strategic-Consult.com.