Testing food and feed authenticity for consumer and public health protection

Ongoing public demand for more information concerning food safety, authenticity, and origins continues to drive tighter regulations around the use, supply, and labeling of specific foods and ingredients – making this a primary concern for food businesses across many sectors. In many countries, food manufacturers must provide clear labeling to indicate when specific ingredients are present, including certain allergenic materials and genetically modified organisms (GMO), as well as to provide evidence of certain product claims, e.g. vegan. To keep up with this diverse range of testing needs, we offer molecular solutions across the following areas:


Meat and fish species detection

Identification of meat and fish species present in food and ingredient samples is vital for building consumer trust and maintaining compliance. This essential step helps to ensure quality control, verification of origin and traceability of raw materials, and proof that the product sold is accurately labeled and unadulterated.

 

In particular, producers of processed meat and fish products that contain a mix of different species, additives, and fillers, must ensure that the product fully meets its label claims and regulatory standards. And for businesses that source meat or fish products from multiple suppliers, testing can help verify the authenticity and consistency of the meat received.


Ethical and religious food labeling and claims

Consumers rely on accurate labeling to make informed choices that align with their ethical, religious, and dietary preferences. Testing food to ensure it meets its ethical and religious claims is vital for building consumer trust, ensuring regulatory compliance, preventing fraud, protecting consumer health and safety, and fulfilling corporate social responsibility.

 

For claims such as halal or vegan there are established certification bodies and standards. Testing ensures compliance with these standards, which is often a legal requirement. Likewise, for manufacturers and brands that source elements and ingredients from third-party suppliers, regular screening across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to finished products, maintains the required standards of traceability and accountability. 


GMO screening and quantification

Many countries have specific regulations that require the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food products, and in many cases, this extends to specifying permitted threshold levels for GMO content. Conducting GMO-specific DNA detection and quantification therefore ensures that your product or any ingredients sourced from suppliers comply with these regulations.

 

In some cases, GMOs may pose as a risk from an allergenic perspective, so testing helps to identify and highlight any potential concerns. Some consumers also opt for a GMO-free diet, so for manufacturers providing GMO-free ingredients, ensuring that raw materials and ingredients do not contain GMOs is crucial for maintaining product integrity.


For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.