July 25, 2007

IdentiGEN opens world's first meat traceability lab

IdentiGEN, a leading provider of DNA-based solutions to the agriculture and food industries, has announced the official opening of its North American laboratories and facilities in Kansas.

The labs would initially focus on DNA analysis for the global TraceBack programme, IdentiGEN's proprietary meat traceability system.

Comprehensive meat identification programs like IdentiGEN's DNA traceability system are important to US food exports and domestic food production, helping to assure consumers of food quality and safety, said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky.

Kansas has more than US$9 billion in annual agricultural sales and is a leader in red meat production, making it a natural choice for IdentiGEN to locate its laboratories in the state, he said.

DNA TraceBack assures both quality and safety of beef and pork by guaranteeing the source of meat products throughout the entire chain of production from producer to plate.