2 - Advances in DNA Fingerprinting for Food Authenticity Testing

Abstract

Controlling the authenticity of certain premium foods and traceability systems for meat requires analytical systems that can differentiate specific crop varieties, livestock breeds, or individual animals. This can be achieved by DNA fingerprinting based on simple sequence repeat or single nucleotide polymorphism markers, which have become routine procedures in forensics and now also in food analysis. This chapter will discuss DNA fingerprinting for authenticity testing of premium rice varieties like basmati and jasmine and how to control and verify labeling of meat origin by providing the link between the final product and the individual animal.