A DNA technology trial to demonstrate the identity preservation and traceability of pigs from farm to retail

摘要

DNA analysis has evolved in roles such as forensic medicine, and paternity genetics in the past years and more recently its capabilities have been challenged as a traceback mechanism within the meat production industry. In Ireland IdentiGEN's DNA TraceBack~(TM) technology was able to detect wrongly-advertised South American beef product as Irish beef, and some non-beef products as beef. The European Union enacted legislation in 2000 as an attempt to restore consumer confidence following the devastating BSE crisis of 1996, and this legislation recognized the importance of linking the source animal and farm to retail products in an effort to create a safer consumer perception. Presently, North America lacks a mandatory traceability program to follow product post slaughter into the retail sector. Such a program holds many important implications and benefits that can be enhanced by regulatory and field veterinarians. Firstly, there is a direct increase in food safety control, secondly it enables a specific "brand" of product to be marketed which ensures brand integrity. Furthermore, implementation of disease zones ie:FMD allows for improved monitoring of the movement of these animals hence increasing the safety margin for other herds and production systems within the area at the minimum. Regulatory drug residue control can be amplified, as well as allowing a faster and more effective recall for contaminated products to occur. Improvements in areas such as increasing protection against bio-terrorism and an overall quality control can also be enforced. Using advances in modern biotechnology, such traceability systems are possible and would go far to further enhance public confidence.