DNA Animal Tracing Coming to US Shores
US - A company that can trace meat back to the original animal using DNA technology, in order to verify label claims, has begun to target US retailers.
12 May 2008
3 minute read
According to USA Today, the Irish based company, IdentiGEN Ltd., which has opened U.S. operations in Lawrence, Kan., wants retailers here to use its DNA TraceBack technology on hamburger, steak, pork and other meats that end up in stores. The company says the technology can determine not only where the meat came from, but whether it's organic or Angus or whatever the label says.
IdentiGEN, which takes DNA samples at slaughterhouses and again in stores, has been using its technology since 2000 in Europe, where company officials say they've made a major impact improving customer trust since the mad cow outbreaks. Now, it has the approval of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"If you see DNA TraceBack label, believe it," IdentiGEN Chief Executive Officer Don Marvin was quoted as saying "It's true. It's DNA."
* "Here's a pretty powerful tool to help the market here in Kansas and in this region of states to say 'here's a product that is not just perceived as safe and secure, it actually is." |
|
Kastner, a professor of animal sciences and director of the school's Food Science Institute
|
Marvin said it's the first program successfully deployed for real-time DNA traceability of the entire supply chain. Bovigen LLC, a Louisiana-based company recently purchased by Pfizer Animal Health, also has Agriculture Department approval for its DNA collecting process, but the company plans to use it only to help livestock producers identify beef cattle for specific traits for breeding purposes, said spokesman Rick Goulart.
The story goes on to say that IdentiGEN has just entered the North American market, so it will have to convince some within the industry that the technology is needed. Dave Schafer, executive director of the Kansas Meat Processors Association, was cited as saying he remains skeptical, because there is no proof of a lack of safety in the industry, which might not want to add even more costs to already high food prices.
But Marvin said IdentiGEN's technology could have helped reduce how much meat had to be recalled when humane violations were discovered at Westland/Hallmark Meat in Chino, Calif. IdentiGEN already counts British grocer Tesco, Ireland-based Superquinn and Dunnes Stores as customers and plans to announce at least three major U.S. companies in the next few months. Both Tesco and Superquinn launched marketing campaigns after implementing the DNA TraceBack, but the U.S retailers haven't publicly announced their use of the product.
Kansas State University professor Curtis Kastner was cited as saying the DNA tracking is an enhancement to ear tags on cattle now used by many farmers. Kastner, a professor of animal sciences and director of the school's Food Science Institute, said besides the safety and consumer confidence advantages, the meat could also be marketed to other countries.
"Here's a pretty powerful tool to help the market here in Kansas and in this region of states to say 'here's a product that is not just perceived as safe and secure, it actually is,"' Kastner added.
TheCattleSite News Desk
