Food Allergy Market Size, Trends & Outlook Report 2033

Food Allergy Market Overview

Global Food Allergy market size is anticipated to be worth USD 6.69 million in 2024, projected to reach USD 8.39 million by 2033 at a 3.7% CAGR.

The food allergy market is increasingly expanding due to a sharp rise in the global prevalence of food allergies across all age groups. According to clinical assessments, approximately 250 million individuals globally suffer from food allergies, accounting for around 3.2% of the global population. In pediatric populations, the prevalence is significantly higher, affecting nearly 6% to 8% of children under the age of five. Peanut allergies alone affect over 6.1 million Americans, while shellfish allergies impact approximately 2.9% of the adult population in the United States.

Diagnostic testing volumes have increased, with an estimated 45 million food allergy-related skin and blood tests conducted annually. In the Asia-Pacific region, documented food allergy incidents among children have grown by over 60% in the past decade. The demand for allergen-free food products is also influencing the growth of detection and testing services. In Europe, over 17 million people are affected by food allergies, with more than 8 million children impacted.

Market demand is also being influenced by workplace and school food safety regulations, as over 70% of schools in developed nations have implemented mandatory food allergen management protocols. This evolution of policy is contributing to the rising demand for early diagnosis, continuous monitoring, and proactive management of food allergens.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: Increasing global food allergy prevalence and growing demand for early diagnosis.

Top Country/Region: North America leads due to advanced diagnostics and high allergy prevalence, with over 32 million Americans affected.

Top Segment: Skin test remains the most widely used diagnostic type, accounting for more than 55% of all food allergy tests globally.

Food Allergy Market Trends

The food allergy market is witnessing evolving trends driven by rising consumer awareness, increased healthcare access, and improved diagnostic technologies. As of 2024, over 33% of global consumers are actively checking allergen information on product labels before purchase, up from 21% in 2018. This behavioral change is fueling demand for enhanced labeling and transparency in food manufacturing processes.

The market is also benefiting from advances in diagnostic technologies. Skin prick tests have seen a global increase in use, with over 25 million procedures conducted in clinical settings annually. Similarly, ImmunoCAP-based blood tests, capable of detecting IgE-mediated allergies to over 300 different allergens, are increasingly preferred in multi-allergen diagnostics. Rapid immunoassay test kits are being adopted in over 4,200 hospitals and clinics worldwide.

In terms of food categories, gluten, dairy, and nut-based allergens dominate the testing landscape. Nearly 65% of allergen test requests are focused on peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and milk. Additionally, over 1,000 newly diagnosed food allergy cases are being reported daily across major healthcare systems globally.

Food manufacturers are launching more allergen-free products to capture this niche demand. By 2023, over 18,000 new packaged food products were launched globally with allergen-free claims. In particular, the demand for gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free foods has surged by over 42% in five years. Europe accounts for 38% of global allergen-free product launches, with Germany and the UK leading in regulatory enforcement.

Food Allergy Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals.

The increasing demand for pharmaceuticals tailored to allergic conditions is a primary growth driver. Over 30 million prescriptions are issued annually for epinephrine auto-injectors used to treat anaphylaxis. Antihistamines and corticosteroids designed to manage chronic and acute allergic reactions collectively account for over 280 million units sold each year. Immunotherapy treatments, including oral and sublingual immunotherapy, are being utilized by more than 600,000 patients globally, and the volume of such therapies has doubled in five years.

RESTRAINT

Limited awareness in low-income regions.

Despite global advances, limited awareness in developing regions remains a major restraint. In many parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, fewer than 15% of parents are aware of common food allergens. A survey in sub-Saharan Africa revealed that only 9% of caregivers could identify symptoms of food-induced anaphylaxis. Furthermore, diagnostic access is severely limited, with fewer than 2 allergists per million people in low-income countries.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized medicines.

The emergence of personalized medicine presents a lucrative opportunity in the food allergy market. Genetic profiling for allergy predisposition is now available in over 400 clinics globally. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms are enabling the identification of gene variants linked to hypersensitivity reactions, aiding in early diagnosis. Personalized desensitization programs, where allergen doses are tailored based on immune response biomarkers, are being implemented across 200 hospitals. In pediatric care, over 50,000 children have undergone genome-based allergy screenings as part of clinical research.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures.

Managing food allergies is becoming increasingly expensive for consumers and healthcare systems alike. In the United States, annual out-of-pocket costs for managing food allergies average $4,200 per household. Epinephrine auto-injector prices have increased by over 140% in the last decade. Hospitals report that treating anaphylactic reactions can cost up to $1,800 per incident in emergency settings. Allergen-free food products are priced 15% to 40% higher than conventional foods, limiting access for low-income populations. From a manufacturing perspective, setting up allergen-free production lines requires investments exceeding $500,000 per facility.

Food Allergy Market Segmentation

The food allergy market is segmented based on test type and application. The major types include blood tests and skin tests, while applications span across baby food, dairy products, bakery and confectionery, seafood, and others. Each segment addresses a unique consumer and clinical need, influenced by prevalence rates and food manufacturing trends.

By Type

Blood Test: Blood tests are widely used to detect allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Over 21 million blood tests were administered globally in 2023 for suspected food allergies. These tests are preferred for their precision, especially in diagnosing multiple allergen sensitivities. More than 500 laboratories worldwide are certified to conduct multiplex allergy panel tests via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In pediatric cases, blood tests are chosen in over 70% of diagnostic evaluations due to their non-invasive nature. In Japan, 62% of allergy testing is performed via blood-based methods, owing to stringent national health protocols. These tests can identify up to 295 allergens in a single profile.
Skin Test: Skin prick tests account for 55% of all allergy diagnostic procedures. These tests offer results in under 20 minutes and are widely adopted in outpatient settings. In the United States, over 12 million skin prick tests are performed annually for food allergens. The test’s sensitivity exceeds 90% for peanut and tree nut detection. Clinicians in Europe utilize skin testing as the first line of evaluation in over 80% of suspected allergy cases. The method’s affordability and quick turnaround time make it popular in both primary care and specialized allergy centers.

By Application

For Baby Food: Food allergy diagnosis and prevention are critical in infant nutrition. Over 9 million infants globally are affected by food allergies, with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) being the most common, impacting approximately 3% of infants. In response, the production of hypoallergenic baby formula has increased by 45% since 2020. Baby food manufacturers now produce over 1,500 allergen-free SKUs specifically designed for early-life dietary management.
For Bakery & Confectionery Products: This segment is under close regulatory scrutiny. Over 38% of all allergen-related recalls involve baked goods, due to undeclared ingredients like nuts, eggs, and soy. More than 20,000 bakery products were tested for allergens in 2023 alone, with 14% showing contamination risks. The demand for certified allergen-free bakery items has risen by over 50% in urban supermarkets.
For Dairy Products: Dairy allergies impact around 7.5% of children globally. The market now includes over 2,400 dairy-free and plant-based alternatives with verified allergen-safe labeling. In North America, 27% of lactose-free milk consumers purchase such products due to diagnosed milk protein allergies rather than intolerance.
For Fish and Seafood: Seafood allergens account for 12% of severe allergic reactions in adults. Over 1.3 million people in the U.S. alone have shellfish allergies. Major seafood exporters like Norway and Vietnam have implemented mandatory allergen testing in over 90% of seafood packaging facilities to avoid cross-contamination.
Others: This category includes snacks, ready meals, sauces, and beverages. Over 11,000 new allergen-free products were introduced globally in 2023 in this category. Sauces and condiments saw the highest reformulation rate, with over 1,800 new allergen-safe versions entering the market.

Food Allergy Market Regional Outlook

The food allergy market shows strong regional disparities driven by differences in allergy prevalence, healthcare infrastructure, regulatory enforcement, and consumer awareness.

North America

food allergies affect over 32 million individuals, including 5.6 million children in the United States. Canada has reported that 7.5% of households contain at least one member with a medically diagnosed food allergy. Over 85% of U.S. schools now follow allergen management protocols, while more than 30,000 clinics across the U.S. and Canada conduct food allergy testing annually. The region also leads in pharmaceutical interventions, with over 70% of global epinephrine auto-injector prescriptions issued in North America. Allergen-free food launches in the U.S. accounted for 36% of global product rollouts in 2023.

Europe

food allergies impact over 17 million people, with over 8 million being children under the age of 15. The UK has one of the highest allergy prevalence rates, with around 7% of children affected by peanut allergies alone. Germany, France, and the Netherlands maintain over 4,500 active allergy clinics combined. The European Union mandates labeling of 14 major allergens, and over 40% of food manufacturers in the region conduct in-house allergen testing. In 2023, allergen-related recalls in Europe increased by 22%, prompting stricter quality control and regulatory measures.

Asia-Pacific

region is witnessing rapid growth in food allergy diagnostics and awareness. In Australia, food allergies affect 10% of infants, one of the highest rates globally. China has over 9 million allergy patients, with increasing hospital admissions due to anaphylactic reactions. Japan conducts more than 2.5 million food allergy tests annually, and its regulatory framework mandates allergen labeling on over 30 food types. South Korea and India are experiencing significant increases in awareness, with over 1,800 new allergen-free product lines launched in the region in 2023.

Middle East & Africa

awareness remains limited but is improving. In the Middle East, over 1.2 million individuals suffer from food allergies, with higher prevalence in urban areas like Dubai and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has introduced allergen testing services across 75 hospitals. Africa faces severe limitations, with fewer than 3% of healthcare facilities equipped for allergy diagnostics. However, regional collaborations are underway to train over 2,000 primary healthcare professionals in allergen identification and management by 2026.

List of Top Food Allergy Market Companies

Alletess Medical Laboratory
ALS Limited
Asurequality Ltd
Charm Sciences
Crystal Chem, Inc
Danaher Corporation
Intertek Group
Merieux Nutrisciences Corporation
Microbac Laboratories
Neogen Corporation
Omega Diagnostics Group
Perkin Elmer

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

Neogen Corporation: is one of the leading players in the food allergy testing market, providing over 400,000 allergen test kits annually. The company’s Veratox® ELISA-based tests are used in over 90 countries and cover 19 key allergens.

Danaher Corporation: through its subsidiary platforms, supplies diagnostics systems to over 25,000 labs globally. The company’s immunodiagnostics technologies are capable of processing over 2 million food allergen samples per year.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The food allergy market is attracting increasing investments, particularly in diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and allergen-free food production. As of 2023, over 180 venture-backed startups focus on allergen detection, diagnostics, or food manufacturing. Collectively, these companies raised over $1.1 billion in funding across five years. Among these, diagnostic device developers alone accounted for $360 million in investments.

Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly investing in biologics and oral immunotherapy solutions. Over 70 clinical trials are underway globally for new food allergy therapies. The U.S. alone has allocated over $120 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants for allergy-related research in the last two years. Biotech firms developing monoclonal antibodies specific to allergy triggers have seen valuation growth exceeding 40% annually.

In the food manufacturing space, large-scale investment is being directed toward allergen-free product lines. Multinational food companies have pledged over $600 million in CAPEX to upgrade facilities with allergen-segregated production lines. Over 8,000 new allergen-free SKUs were launched in 2023, representing a 35% increase from the previous year. Startups focusing on artificial intelligence in allergen detection and formulation are also gaining traction, with over 90 patent filings recorded between 2022 and 2024.

New Product Development

Product innovation in the food allergy market is accelerating in response to consumer demand, technological advances, and evolving safety regulations. In 2023 alone, over 18,000 allergen-free food and beverage products were launched worldwide, marking a 42% increase from the previous year. The most common innovations include gluten-free breads, dairy-free yogurts, nut-free spreads, and soy-free snacks.

One key development is the introduction of multifunctional allergy detection kits. These kits, capable of detecting up to 24 allergens simultaneously, are being adopted in over 1,200 food manufacturing plants. Innovations include immunochromatographic test strips offering results in under 15 minutes, now used by over 400 quality assurance departments.

Pharmaceutical advancements are also notable. New sublingual immunotherapy tablets for peanut and tree nut allergies have entered phase III trials. These tablets aim to desensitize patients in under six months with over 75% efficacy rates demonstrated in early trials. Oral immunotherapy solutions with customized allergen doses are being administered to over 30,000 patients in pilot programs globally.

Digital innovation is playing a crucial role. Smart epinephrine injectors with built-in GPS tracking and emergency alert features are being trialed in over 25 hospitals in the United States. Over 15 health tech startups have launched mobile applications that monitor dietary intake, identify allergens, and log reactions in real time.

Five Recent Developments

Neogen Corporation: launched a next-generation ELISA allergen test kit in 2023 capable of detecting 24 allergens with 98.5% sensitivity in under 10 minutes, now adopted in over 3,000 food facilities globally.
Danaher Corporation: announced the global expansion of its immunoassay product line, which processes over 250,000 food allergen samples monthly in more than 70 countries.
Omega Diagnostics: introduced a rapid multiplex food allergy panel in 2024, which screens 44 allergens simultaneously and delivers results in under 90 minutes.
Microbac: Laboratories opened three new allergen testing centers in the U.S. with capacity to process over 12,000 samples per month, increasing total diagnostic throughput by 18%.
Perkin Elme:r upgraded its laboratory automation systems in 2023 to include allergen-specific software modules, reducing manual testing time by 40% and increasing result accuracy.

Report Coverage of Food Allergy Market

The report on the food allergy market provides in-depth coverage of the global landscape, focusing on diagnostic technologies, product innovations, market drivers, and challenges. The analysis captures detailed segmentation by type, including blood tests and skin tests, and explores their prevalence, testing frequency, and geographic distribution. It also addresses various applications such as baby food, dairy products, bakery and confectionery, seafood, and others, emphasizing their respective allergen risk profiles and consumer demand trends.

Geographically, the report covers key markets including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, offering a comparative analysis of prevalence rates, regulatory environments, diagnostic infrastructure, and public awareness levels. It further analyzes emerging trends such as mobile app integration, AI-based allergen detection, and the rise of component-resolved diagnostics.

The competitive landscape section evaluates major players including Neogen Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Omega Diagnostics, and others, based on testing volume, technology portfolio, and regional footprint. It also examines recent product launches, technology upgrades, and expansion strategies that shape their market positioning.

Investment trends are analyzed comprehensively, highlighting venture capital flows, public funding, and private sector investments in diagnostics, food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical innovations. New product development is explored through case studies and product performance metrics, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and market adoption.