Neogen introduces meat species identification service

Neogen, a developer of products for food and animal safety, has introduced the NeoSEEK™ meat species identification service to address growing concerns of economic adulteration and food fraud.

The service, which will complement the company's test kits for processing facilities, detects adulteration at levels of 0.1% or 1% of mislabeled pork, poultry, beef, horse, or sheep meat. Precise quantitative results that show the percentage of adulterant in a meat sample are also available. Results are ready within 48 hours of sample receipt at Neogen's facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, US.

The NeoSEEK service utilises a DNA-based assay featuring specialised polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology that can deliver precise quantitative results of adulteration in test samples.

"Our on-site tests are the quickest path for most processors, but we understand that not all processors have the facilities and personnel to do their own meat species identification testing," said Joe Heinzelmann, a market development manager at Neogen. "Food processors can use this convenient service to verify the integrity of their supply chains or support certificate of analysis data to protect their customers from the adulteration of meat products with undeclared animal meats. We can test both cooked and raw samples at either 0.1% or 1%, and if the screening assay shows a positive result, we can provide quantitative results as a next step in an investigation, depending on the customers' need."

The company's on-site meat species identification tests include F.A.S.T. (Food Analyte Screening Tests), immunostick assays which provide clear visual results in about 30 minutes.

NeoSEEK is part of efforts to determine if tissues of meat products contain restricted veterinary drugs. Such services can help prevent harmful substances from entering the food consumer market.

Neogen has offered meat species identification services to European customers for many years, but has seen a spike in interest from North America due to the recent horsemeat scandal in Europe.