GMO & Food Authenticity
Meat Authenticity Verification – By DNA Analysis
As a result of our on-going research programme Premier Analytical Services can now offer a range of diagnostic PCR tests to detect the adulteration of meat based ingredients and meat products with undeclared or cheaper meats. DNA is extracted from the sample and subjected to intensive purification prior to ‘real-time’ PCR to detect the major meat species (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and horse) that may be present. The financial aspect of fraudulent activity is clear, as is the need to maintain reputation and quality by both manufacturer and retailer. Surveillance to detect adventitious or fraudulent contamination in meat products serves to reassure all parties within the food supply chain. This is particularly true of ethnic groups whose religious beliefs forbid the consumption of particular species and who require assurance that they are purchasing food that conforms to their beliefs.
Detection of meat as a vegetarian food contaminant
As part of the suite of analyses, Premier Analytical Services can also offer a ‘universal’ meat detection assay, also based upon DNA and which is ideally suited to the detection of meat contamination in vegetarian products. Meat is readily detected above the 0.05% level even in the presence of both milk and cheese, ingredients that traditionally render analyses ineffective. Due diligence by manufactures and retailers to detect such adventitious or fraudulent contamination in these products serves to reassure vegetarians and ethnic groups whose religious beliefs forbid consumption of particular species that they are indeed purchasing food of true vegetarian origin.
Meat Authenticity Verification
– By Immunological Methods
Next Generation Sequencing
At PAS we are continuously striving to offer the most innovative and industry-shaping technologies on the market, the latest of which in food testing is Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
NGS allows the simultaneous sequencing of targeted DNA present in food samples. This novel approach allows the sensitive and specific detection of the component species present in food samples. Presently, the analytical methods utilised by the food industry are reactive – “please analyse my sample for X ” OR “do we have X below this legislative LOD?” NGS will however ensure that we move the industry to a more proactive stance on testing, enabling us to ask “WHAT is in my sample?” and will generate a more complete breakdown of the components present within a given sample.
NGS is capable of sequencing the many different variants of specific genes, that are known to show considerable variation between species, and which are present in the test sample. The DNA sequences obtained can then be compared to a reference database to establish the exact species present – forming the basis of the customer’s analytical report.
The possibilities of testing using NGS are vast, especially in the areas of Food Authenticity and Food Fraud which is where we have shaped our testing in order to analyse –
- Meat
- Plants (including Herbs & Spices)
- Fish
- Crustacea
For more information about Next Generation Sequencing and how this could revolutionise your current testing regimes get in touch with us
Harmonised EU systems regarding documentation make it easier to trace identity preserved (IP), non-GM, ingredients throughout the supply chain. Legislation also permits a certain amount of adventitious contamination of I.P. ingredients:
A threshold of 0.9% of the ingredient applies for the accidental presence of approved GM material below which labelling of food or feed is not required.
However there is no threshold for the presence of GM material that has not been approved for use in the EU.
Routine analysis of IP ingredients and products, for due diligence demonstration of GMO threshold compliance, remains an important part of any HACCP control. Now more than ever before this GMO analysis must feature accurate and reliable quantification.
Premier Analytical Services’s GMO Detection and Quantification Service assures confidence in results you can trust with the first method accredited by UKAS, to the ISO 17025 standard, for the detection and QUANTIFICATION of GM materials in both PROCESSED FOODS AND INGREDIENTS.
Our dedicated team utilise four separate laboratories to avoid sample cross contamination. They employ the real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using TaqMan chemistry with custom designed primers and probes.
Advice Based on Experience
Advice Based on Experience
Premier Analytical Services was the first UK laboratory to offer a UKAS accredited quantitative GMO testing service in the UK utilising analysis based on real-time PCR. More than 20 years of experience in molecular diagnostic techniques has meant that our scientists have been at the forefront of the detection and quantification of GMOs, providing expert advice to UK and European governments. This advice is readily available to all our customers in terms of recommendations regarding sampling, sampling frequency and testing regimes.
Accuracy and Precision
An extensive DNA extraction process is followed by advanced purification, in order to remove inhibitors of the PCR reaction
Certified Reference Materials are used in each analysis to enable accurate quantification
Appropriate positive and negative controls are used with each analysis
Multiple primers and probes are employed. These have been designed for specific and sensitive detection of a wide range of GMOs
Analysis is carried out in triplicate; we do however offer the ability to run a greater number of replicates if required.
Sensitivity
The limit of detection for both maize and soya in processed and raw materials can be calculated for each sample analysed. These are typically 0.01% for processed foods and 0.001% for raw materials.
Interpretation of Results
Premier Analytical Services’s GMO Detection and Quantification Service can provide a full explanation and interpretation of all results thus enabling you to take the appropriate actions.
Three-Phased Approach
The possible combinations of GMOs that could be present in food materials are becoming increasingly complex as more GMOs receive EU approval. Premier Analytical Services has developed a three-phased approach to GMO detection and quantification in order to minimise costs. Details are tabulated below.
GMO & Food Authenticity
Meat Authenticity Verification – By DNA Analysis
As a result of our on-going research programme Premier Analytical Services can now offer a range of diagnostic PCR tests to detect the adulteration of meat based ingredients and meat products with undeclared or cheaper meats. DNA is extracted from the sample and subjected to intensive purification prior to ‘real-time’ PCR to detect the major meat species (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and horse) that may be present. The financial aspect of fraudulent activity is clear, as is the need to maintain reputation and quality by both manufacturer and retailer. Surveillance to detect adventitious or fraudulent contamination in meat products serves to reassure all parties within the food supply chain. This is particularly true of ethnic groups whose religious beliefs forbid the consumption of particular species and who require assurance that they are purchasing food that conforms to their beliefs.
Detection of meat as a vegetarian food contaminant
As part of the suite of analyses, Premier Analytical Services can also offer a ‘universal’ meat detection assay, also based upon DNA and which is ideally suited to the detection of meat contamination in vegetarian products. Meat is readily detected above the 0.05% level even in the presence of both milk and cheese, ingredients that traditionally render analyses ineffective. Due diligence by manufactures and retailers to detect such adventitious or fraudulent contamination in these products serves to reassure vegetarians and ethnic groups whose religious beliefs forbid consumption of particular species that they are indeed purchasing food of true vegetarian origin.
Meat Authenticity Verification – By Immunological Methods
Next Generation Sequencing
At PAS we are continuously striving to offer the most innovative and industry-shaping technologies on the market, the latest of which in food testing is Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
NGS allows the simultaneous sequencing of targeted DNA present in food samples. This novel approach allows the sensitive and specific detection of the component species present in food samples. Presently, the analytical methods utilised by the food industry are reactive – “please analyse my sample for X ” OR “do we have X below this legislative LOD?” NGS will however ensure that we move the industry to a more proactive stance on testing, enabling us to ask “WHAT is in my sample?” and will generate a more complete breakdown of the components present within a given sample.
NGS is capable of sequencing the many different variants of specific genes, that are known to show considerable variation between species, and which are present in the test sample. The DNA sequences obtained can then be compared to a reference database to establish the exact species present – forming the basis of the customer’s analytical report.
The possibilities of testing using NGS are vast, especially in the areas of Food Authenticity and Food Fraud which is where we have shaped our testing in order to analyse –
- Meat
- Plants (including Herbs & Spices)
- Fish
- Crustacea
For more information about Next Generation Sequencing and how this could revolutionise your current testing regimes get in touch with us
GMO Determination
Harmonised EU systems regarding documentation make it easier to trace identity preserved (IP), non-GM, ingredients throughout the supply chain. Legislation also permits a certain amount of adventitious contamination of I.P. ingredients:
A threshold of 0.9% of the ingredient applies for the accidental presence of approved GM material below which labelling of food or feed is not required.
However there is no threshold for the presence of GM material that has not been approved for use in the EU.
Routine analysis of IP ingredients and products, for due diligence demonstration of GMO threshold compliance, remains an important part of any HACCP control. Now more than ever before this GMO analysis must feature accurate and reliable quantification.
Premier Analytical Services’s GMO Detection and Quantification Service assures confidence in results you can trust with the first method accredited by UKAS, to the ISO 17025 standard, for the detection and QUANTIFICATION of GM materials in both PROCESSED FOODS AND INGREDIENTS.
Our dedicated team utilise four separate laboratories to avoid sample cross contamination. They employ the real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using TaqMan chemistry with custom designed primers and probes.
Advice Based on Experience
Advice Based on Experience
Premier Analytical Services was the first UK laboratory to offer a UKAS accredited quantitative GMO testing service in the UK utilising analysis based on real-time PCR. More than 20 years of experience in molecular diagnostic techniques has meant that our scientists have been at the forefront of the detection and quantification of GMOs, providing expert advice to UK and European governments. This advice is readily available to all our customers in terms of recommendations regarding sampling, sampling frequency and testing regimes.
Accuracy and Precision
An extensive DNA extraction process is followed by advanced purification, in order to remove inhibitors of the PCR reaction
Certified Reference Materials are used in each analysis to enable accurate quantification
Appropriate positive and negative controls are used with each analysis
Multiple primers and probes are employed. These have been designed for specific and sensitive detection of a wide range of GMOs
Analysis is carried out in triplicate; we do however offer the ability to run a greater number of replicates if required.
Sensitivity
The limit of detection for both maize and soya in processed and raw materials can be calculated for each sample analysed. These are typically 0.01% for processed foods and 0.001% for raw materials.
Interpretation of Results
Premier Analytical Services’s GMO Detection and Quantification Service can provide a full explanation and interpretation of all results thus enabling you to take the appropriate actions.
Three-Phased Approach
The possible combinations of GMOs that could be present in food materials are becoming increasingly complex as more GMOs receive EU approval. Premier Analytical Services has developed a three-phased approach to GMO detection and quantification in order to minimise costs. Details are tabulated below.