Meat Traceability Research Articles

Genetic traceability of meat using microsatellite markers

Traceability systems have become necessary, especially for beef products, to protect consumers' health. Aims of this study were to validate and to test a set of 12 microsatellite (STR) markers for the assessment of a genetic traceability system in six cattle breeds. The probability to find, by chance, two individuals sharing the same profile at the studied loci, was computed considering different number of STR, pooling the alleles in each breed, in the total population and in the dairy and beef population separately. Best results were then obtained considering match probabilities per breed. In this study, genotyping the five most polymorphic loci, the probability of finding two identical animals was approximately five in one million. Match probability values increased when the pooled marker sets were used, but were still satisfactory; moreover, use of the pooled marker sets will reduce the cost of analyses.

Traceability of the PGI product “Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale” by SNP markers

Traceability of meat has become a key aspect of food-quality assurance and a priority for EU countries, to meet consumer demand for comprehensive and integrated food safety policies. In this context, the traceability of animals and animal products at the breed level might play a key role as it would enable the certification of regional products linked to particular breeds. Technologies based on DNA analysis have the potential to achieve this goal bypassing the large scale and systematic biological sampling necessary for individual fingerprinting.The objective of this work was to test the power of a SNP panel to trace PGI “Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale”, a product linked to three breeds: Chianina, Marchigiana and Romagnola.A total of 180 unrelated animals belonging to PGI-allowed breeds (Chianina n=22; Romagnola n=22; and Marchigiana n=22) and PGI-not allowed breeds (Piemontese n=22, Maremmana n=24, Italian Red Pied n=24, Italian Brown n=22, Italian Friesian n=22) were sampled and genotyped with a panel of 130 SNP in 90 independent genes.Individual genotypes were assigned to breed by Bayesian based clustering approach. In particular the SNP data were analysed by the Rannala and Mountain approach implemented in the software Geneclass 2 (file:///C:/Software/GeneClass2/Help/index.htm).The SNP-based molecular approach in combination with Bayesian assignment algorithms allowed an overall correct assignment of more than 95% of individuals to their breeds of origins. This percentage increase to 96% grouping the breeds allowed in a unique cluster.Sorting the SNPs by their Gst values and using the 90 showing a value higher than 0.01, we maintain the same rate of allocation success indicating that selecting SNPs for their informative content will reduce the number of markers required for a reliable traceability at breed level, reducing the laboratory effort and consequently the cost for the large scale application of the methodOur results suggest that SNP markers in combination with Bayesian algorithm can be exploited in allocation studies and are able to trace “Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale”. The main advantages of SNP are their abundance and the potential of full automation.

Genetic Control of Conventional Labeling through the Bovine Meat Production Chain by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Using Real-Time PCR

Since January 2002, the European Union has adopted precise guidelines aimed at protecting the safety of meat and controlling the production chain. To this purpose, the conventional traceability of livestock and meat represents the main tool, but verification of traceability requires genetic support. At present, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent the most innovative molecular markers in genotyping studies. The aim of this study was to verify correct labeling in a bovine meat production chain by a real-time PCR protocol based on SNP analysis. Reference hair samples from 5,000 animals were randomly collected from 22 farms. Twelve hundred meat samples were collected at different steps of the bovine meat production chain. In particular, 1,000 meat samples were collected at the slaughterhouse and 200 samples from the same animals directly at the butcher's shop. The protocol was optimized and validated by testing a set of 16 SNP markers on 95 DNA samples from bovine sires of different breeds. Thereafter, the genotyping of 2,200 samples was conducted with a set of 12 selected SNPs to verify traceability of the meat production chain at three different stages: farm, slaughterhouse, and butcher's shop. Irregularities in conventional traceability were evidenced directly in 1.87% of the samples at the slaughterhouse. This percentage increased to 3.25% when sampling was conducted at the butcher's shop. This study demonstrates that despite the precautions adopted over the meat production chain, some critical points still exist that cause the loss of a correct association between registration numbers and samples.

Traceability of bovine meat and bone meal in poultry by stable isotope analysis

Bovine meat and bone meal (MBM) was widely used in animal diets until outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encefalopathy (BSE) occurred in some countries. It has not been confirmed yet whether or not BSE may be transmitted to man through chicken meat originated from poultry that had been fed diets containing MBM. Therefore, consumers nowadays express preference for meat originated from birds fed exclusively vegetable diets. This study analyzed samples of major breast muscle (Pectoralis major) using mass spectrometry of stable isotopes (carbon and nitrogen) as a means to assess the presence of MBM in broiler diets, a technique that might be used in the certification of poultry quality. A total of 150 day-old chicks were reared in five randomized treatments with increasing MBM dietary inclusion levels (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8%). On day 42, breast muscle samples were collected from three birds per treatment and used in the determination of 13C/12C and 15N/14N isotope ratios. The breast muscle isotope values were expressed as delta in parts per thousand (d‰). The following carbon isotope values (13C) were found: 18.74‰±0.11, 18.51‰±0.19, 18.24‰±0.10, -17.79‰ ±0.12, and -17.15‰±0.15 for 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8% MBM dietary levels, respectively. Nitrogen isotope values (15N) were 1.65‰±0.14, 1.65‰±0.28, 1.72‰±0.08, 1.95‰±0.16, and 2.52‰ ± 0.09 for 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8% MBM dietary levels, respectively. This study showed important differences in d13C and d15N values in breast meat, evidencing a simultaneous enrichment of this isotopic pair, which allowed tracing MBM in bird diets. Analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes may be used to ensure feeding with exclusively vegetable diets, and might also be used as a reliable evaluation tool in broiler meat certification. The diet with 1% inclusion level of MBM and the exclusively vegetable diet showed similar results.

Experimental Evidence on Willingness to Pay for Red Meat Traceability in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan

We employed Vickrey auctions to generate willingness-to-pay (WTP) data for red meat traceability and related product characteristics with comparable experimental auctions in the United States, Canada, the U.K., and Japan. The results show that subjects are willing to pay a nontrivial premium for traceability, but the same subjects show even higher WTP for traceability-provided characteristics like additional meat safety and humane animal treatment guarantees. The implication is that producers might be able to implement traceable meat systems profitably by tailoring the verifiable characteristics of the product to consumer preferences.

Meat molecular traceability: How to choose the best set of microsatellites?

To set up routine assays for molecular meat traceability along the food chain, the availability of a simple and low cost test for the identification of cattle carcasses is required. For this purpose, we evaluated 13 microsatellites for their ability in the identification of animals belonging to four Italian cattle breeds. Here we propose a criterion for a microsatellite-based test with the best reliability when reducing the number of loci to be analysed. The method is based on the observation that in the same loci breeds can show differences in frequencies and number of fixed alleles. This non-uniform distribution of alleles between breeds results in differences in the informative content of the same loci in different breeds. Taking into account these differences, it is possible to perform tests for the allocation of samples to specific animals utilizing a small number of microsatellites. The proposed approach allows cost reduction and ease in performing the analyses.

Development of a genetic traceability test in pig based on single nucleotide polymorphism detection

In order to assure traceability along the meat transformation process, a powerful system is required. The administrative traceability shows limits that the use of genetic markers could overcome. The individual genomes contain sequence differences, basis of the genetic polymorphism of which the genetic markers are the witnesses. Among them, two classes seem to dominate on the traceability field: the microsatellites and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The aim of this work was to develop a genetic traceability test in pig based on SNPs mainly located in 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). A set of 21 SNP markers including new SNPs identified in this study and SNPs previously described was selected. A genotyping assay was performed on 96 individuals representing the major crossbred of the pig population in Belgium. Results showed that all individuals tested presented a different genotype. This genotyping method might help the administrative system to guarantee the traceability of pork meat along the transformation process.

Effect of intraperitoneal electronic identification on productive performance of Sardinian suckling lambs

RiassuntoEffetto dell’identificazione elettronica sulle performance produttive di agnelli da latte in Sardegna. 40 agnelli di razza Sarda a un’età compresa tra 1 e 7 giorni e peso vivo compreso tra 2,50 e 6,15 kg, sono stati suddivisi in due gruppi sperimentali di 20 soggetti ciascuno: il gruppo T è stato identificato elettronicamente mediante un transponder intraperitoneale; l’altro (gruppo C) è stato tenuto come controllo. Gli agnelli di entrambi i gruppi sono stati controllati clinicamente, pesati settimanalmente e infine macellati ad età compresa tra 28 e 35 giorni. Nel gruppo T è stata verificata la leggibilità del transponder sugli animali in vivo e post mortem nella catena di macellazione. Incremento ponderale medio giornaliero (268,7 vs. 251,1 g), resa in carcassa “alla romana” (64,12 vs. 63,78%) e resa in carcassa (52,74 vs. 53,08%) non hanno mostrato differenze statisticamente significative fra i gruppi T e C. La leggibilità e il recupero dei transponders sono risultati del 100%.

Impact of BSE on Livestock Production System

The small number of BSE cases diagnosed in Italy from January 2001 to 12 September 2001 (a total of 28, one every 9000 head) does not allow for a statistical analysis of the relationship between this disease and the livestock systems. However, some indications can be noted: (a) only dairy cattle, which represent three-quarters of the cattle raised in Italy, are involved; (b) 58% of the cases belong to medium-large farms that breed 27% of all head; (c) 13 out of 28 cases are 5-year-old animals and 26 out of 28 are between 5 and 7 years of age; (d) 15 of 28 cases come from Lombardia, where 27% of Italian dairy cattle are raised. The following factors may have affected the livestock system: (1) trends of beef meat consumption; (2) changes in livestock management; (3) changes in animal feeding; (4) possible effects on selection. A strong decline in beef meat consumption (4 kg/year) has been observed in the UK and other European countries since 1996 (the year of the discovery of the relationship between BSE and nvCJD). In Italy, from January 2001 the consumption of beef meat has declined as well as slaughter: a drop of 31% in the total slaughtered head in the period January-February, a drop of 14% in January-May. A fall in the price of calves has promoted, in some dairy farms, the start of the production of light beef less than one year old (advantages in the marketing of meat favour this initiative), a phenomenon which is not yet well established. Traceability and certification of meat have improved, thanks to breeders' associations and interprofessional agreements. The breeders associations have also started insurance initiatives against BSE risks. In Italy the employment of plant protein meals would increase the total feedstuff consumption by about 7%. Direct effects of BSE could slow down the genetic progress (GP) of cattle populations within breed and country. Indirect effects on GP may also happen as a consequence of an increase in the replacement rate (rr). This increase in rr reduced the generation interval and will therefore proportionally increase GP. Some important questions for the livestock production system are: Does the vertical transmission of BSE exist? Is there a genetic basis favouring the disease and is it inheritable? Are in vivo diagnostic tests possible? Are vaccination schemes against BSE possible and useful or is it better to pursue eradication?

Toward Meat Traceability Critical Control Point Analysis in the Polish Pork Chain

This paper presents a system of Meat Traceability Critical Control Point analysis (MTCCP) in the specific case of the Polish pork chain. The introduction and application of such a system will be critical for several reasons, among which are increasing consumer concerns, pressure on industry profits and the emerging accession of Poland to the European Union. At present, very few factors inside the Polish pig and meat industry encourage a fast and effective implementation of traceability and information exchange. Therefore, a manageable system mainly based on the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis in Critical Control Points (HACCP) is set forth. Critical control points from farm supplies to slaughterhouse are identified. A critical review of the on-going legislative process forms the basis for formulating managerial and policy implications.

Meat traceability using DNA markers: application to the beef industry

Consumer concerns about beef demands instruments to assure its traceability. A methodology using DNA markers is proposed for beef identification focussing on a Spanish beef certification, Ternera de Navarra (Beef of Navarra). To validate this methodology the number of markers used and the implications of population structure in individual identification were evaluated. In order to get practical implementation, the sampling levels required, depending on the number of markers and amount of possible fraud, is also discussed. Using at least eight very informative markers the origin of retailed meat is always found independent of genetic population structure. The total control of fraud would be very expensive using large-scale application of DNA analyses and a strategy based on anonymous sampling is proposed.

The development and use of electronic ruminal boluses as a vehicle for bovine identification.

Traceability of meat to the farm of origin is becoming increasingly important to consumers and producers. Traceability systems would be greatly facilitated by electronic animal identification which, for example, would eliminate errors associated with the manual transcription of data. Additionally, the level of production supports provided to the bovine sectors within the European Union demands a high level of security in bovine identification within this region. An electronic rumen bolus provides a safe, tamper-proof method of electronic animal identification. The success of the electronic rumen bolus is facilitated by having an applicator for young calves which delivers the bolus directly to the rumen/reticulum, a bolus with a specific density of 3 g/cm3 or greater and portable or static readers which are capable of reading the passive transponder in the boluses. In Europe, the different methods of electronic identification are compared in a trial organised by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy. The JRC has developed a list of approved boluses used to electronically identify cattle with a unique number on the transponder which cannot be changed. The choice between a rumen bolus and ear tag as a method of electronic animal identification will depend on the degree of security required. If tampering with ear tags is thought to be possible, the rumen bolus would offer a secure alternative method of electronic animal identification.

Traceability of meat products - application of DNA technology

Traceability requirements for market access, food safety and disease control are a key issue in the meat industry. Traceability also offers new opportunities for market-lead product improvement and genetic selection. DNA technology has recently provided a solution to the problem of tracing meat cuts from overseas markets back to the New Zealand processor's carcass record and the farm of origin. The DNA system involves storing a sample of every carcass processed, and using forensic DNA matching to identify the ensuing meat cuts. While the system has solved one aspect of traceability, significant challenges remain to provide cost effective meat traceability for market assurance and product improvement. Keywords: animal welfare, consumers, DNA, market access, traceability