Traceability of meat products - application of DNA technology

Abstract

Traceability requirements for market access, food safety and disease control are a key issue in the meat industry. Traceability also offers new opportunities for market-lead product improvement and genetic selection. DNA technology has recently provided a solution to the problem of tracing meat cuts from overseas markets back to the New Zealand processor's carcass record and the farm of origin. The DNA system involves storing a sample of every carcass processed, and using forensic DNA matching to identify the ensuing meat cuts. While the system has solved one aspect of traceability, significant challenges remain to provide cost effective meat traceability for market assurance and product improvement. Keywords: animal welfare, consumers, DNA, market access, traceability