Detection of animal and plant species

Identification of animal species, plant species and food fraud in food and feed

Flexibly accredited according to DIN EN ISO 17025

Our company offers the identification and differentiation of animal species, plant species and product adulteration (food fraud) at DNA level as an important part of the quality control of food and feed.
The tests are carried out using real-time PCR. It is a very sensitive method that enables identification of the respective animal or plant species even in complex or highly heated products through the use of species-specific PCR primers and probes.

The method is also suitable for screening a sample for animal and/or plant components. It is ideal for testing vegan/vegetarian products or animal products for plant-based ingredients, for HALAL certification and for the detection of ruminants in animal feed. Identification of the fish or crustacean species is possible by PCR with subsequent sequencing.

Examples of detectable animal and plant species:

Identification of animal and plant species to detect product adulteration (food fraud)

Food is increasingly being adulterated for economic reasons. High-quality meat is sometimes replaced by cheap, inferior meat (e.g. the horsemeat scandal: food declared as beef contained up to 100% undeclared horsemeat). Furthermore, health aspects, such as the risk to consumers (e.g. allergic reactions), are playing an increasingly important role (e.g. peanut flour in garlic powder or hazelnut semolina).

Particularly frequently affected foods are:

• Meat
• Milk
• Fish
• Seafood
• Oils (olive oils)
• Honey
• Coffee, tea
• Wine and fruit juices
• Spices

The EU Control Regulation No. 2017/625 (valid from September 2019) makes food fraud an obligation for all member states. Food fraud is also covered by other international standards.

Halal

For Muslim consumers, according to the Koran and the Sunnah, not even the slightest contamination of certain animal products is allowed in food.

In order to meet these requirements and the mandatory zero tolerance, there are highly sensitive real-time PCR tests that can specifically detect whether pork, for example, is contained in food.

Kosher

According to the Torah, Jewish consumers are only allowed to eat kosher food. Meat from animals other than cloven-hoofed animals, e.g. pig, horse, camel … are forbidden. Eels, whales and shellfish are also not kosher.

In order to meet these requirements and the mandatory zero tolerance, there are highly sensitive PCR tests that can specifically detect whether pork, for example, is contained in food.

At GEN-IAL®, animal and plant species are detected using real-time PCR. The methods used are flexibly accredited in accordance with DIN EN ISO 17025. Both official standard methods and validated in-house methods are used.

The PCR analyses are continously tested in ring trials and proficiency tests.