E. Coli Testing Market Expected to Reach $2.1 Billion by 2022

The global market for E. coli testing is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2022, up from $1.2 billion in 2013, according to a new report from market research company Transparency Market Research.  Thanks in part to major federal efforts to combat more foodborne illness in the U.S. via the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), analysts expect environmental and clinical laboratory testing for E. coli to significantly increase over the next decade — to the tune of 6-7 percent growth each year.  In 2013, E. coli “Presence or Absence” test kits based on enzyme-substrate reaction were the top sellers. Based on the number of tests performed, the leader was a test using membrane filtration.  The majority of end-users purchasing environmental testing kits are drinking water suppliers, wastewater treatment organizations, and bottled water manufacturers. The main clinical customers are hospitals and diagnostic laboratories.  Despite predictions that FSMA will drive sales in the E. coli testing market, the region expected to have the biggest growth between now and 2022 is Asia. In 2013, Europe led the global E. coli testing market.  Recent developments in testing technology are aiming to make the process of testing for E. coli much more affordable and the results more quickly obtained.  Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, for example, have come up with a test for the bacteria using litmus paper. The test costs just a few cents and produces results within a few hours — much faster and cheaper than current environmental testing methods.