DNA Test Identifies Eight Animal Species in Foodstuffs Quickly and Reliably

With horsemeat in lasagnes and pork in kebabs, the meat scandal is escalating day by day. Consumer protection groups and politicians are now calling for Europe-wide DNA testing for a whole range of foodstuffs.

Using the CarnoCheck DNA test, hundreds of samples are currently being tested at various European laboratories as part of efforts to find answers in the horsemeat labelling fraud. Greiner Bio-One has been offering the CarnoCheck DNA test kit since 2004, enabling eight animal species to be detected in foodstuffs quickly and reliably. As well as horses, the kit covers pigs, donkeys, sheep, cattle, chickens, turkeys and goats.

Greiner Bio-One, based in Frickenhausen, specialises in developing molecular biology analysis methods. Using ‘DNA chip technology’, which is already deployed by countless laboratories, the specific genetic fingerprint of many different parameters can be detected unambiguously in one single analysis. With the CarnoCheck DNA chip, the eight animal species can be identified in foodstuffs down to a detection limit of 0.5%. The results are available within three hours. A comprehensive control system also ensures the quality of the analysis.