From pathogen and mycotoxin detection to companies focussed on traceability and preventing food fraud this list is by no means exhaustive but highlights those to keep an eye on in 2018.
Whether they use blockchain, nanoparticle Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), microfluidics or Full-Depth Disinfection Cycle (FDDC) technology these companies are tapping into increasing and stricter regulation and consumer demand for a transparent supply chain.
While other firms - such as Arc-Net – were brought to our attention through coverage we also had firms - like Fluxergy - come across our radar.
In online coverage food safety innovations can get missed or lost so take a moment to look back at our interviews with Certus, Lexagene, SwissDeCode, Infuser, Akadeum, Ambrosus, CibusDx, PolySkope Labs, Potok, Validactor, Prognosis Biotech and ExcitePCR.
Estimates of the value of the food safety testing market vary but MarketsAndMarkets puts the figure at $12bn in 2016 and projects growth so it reaches $18.54bn by 2022.
Figures also differ for food fraud but PwC said it costs the global food industry an estimated $40bn each year (John Spink, 2014).
It is also safe to say we will continue to hear from more established players including 3M, Thermo Fisher Scientific, SGS, Agilent Technologies, Mérieux NutriSciences, Eurofins, Mettler Toledo, Shimadzu, Sciex, Bruker, Neogen, Waters and many others.
If you feel we have missed someone important off the list let us know and looking forward to hearing from other companies that we will feature for the first time in 2018!