Following recent 'claims' that the Red Tractor was appearing on Brazilian Beef, Assured British Meat (ABM) has undertaken DNA testing of beef products to quash these fears.
A sample of Red Tractor beef products, including steaks and mince, was purchased from a number of major retailers and the DNA analysed for Zebu genes, prevalent in cattle from Brazil. Amongst the samples was a control, labelled as product of Brazil.
The results concluded that none of the product labelled with the Red Tractor contained Zebu genes, indicating that it was not of Brazilian origin. The control sample from Brazil provided a positive result for Zebu genes.
The DNA analysis, done on behalf of Assured Food Standards (AFS) is in addition to existing AFS Red Tractor traceability audits conducted in all plants packing Red Tractor product. This ongoing programme of traceability checks maintains the integrity of the Red Tractor by ensuring that the plant only applies it to product that has come through an assured chain of production and has met all the requirements of the Red Tractor license agreement.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Assured British Meat (ABM) acts as the Beef and Lamb Sector Board for Assured Food Standards (AFS) and is responsible for:
- Working to co-ordinate beef and lamb assurance under the Red Tractor
- Setting Red Tractor beef and lamb assurance standards throughout the whole chain:
- Farm
- Transport
- Markets
- Abattoirs and cutting/packing plants
- Licensing standards to multiple Certification Bodies to ensure independent inspection.
- Maintaining a central database of all businesses certified against the Red Tractor standards.
- Promoting the benefits of assurance to both producers and businesses within the beef and lamb supply chain.
2. DNA testing was conducted by IdentiGEN Genetic Testing Services, Dublin.
3. Background to DNA Testing:
Cattle breeds may be split into two principal types, humped or zebu cattle and European cattle. Zebu cattle are typically found in the tropics (Asia, South America, Africa...) and are
visually distinguished by a hump and dewlap. European cattle have no hump and may be found in the colder or temperate regions of the world. Aside from the hump, the two types may also be distinguished using specialised DNA markers.
ISSUE DATE
JUNE 2005
CONTACT NAME
SARAH LONG
CONTACT NUMBER
01908 844185
CONTACT EMAIL
SARAH_LONG@ABM.ORG.UK