Is that really buffalo meat or something else? A DNA test to verify is on the way

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.India, one of the world’s largest buffalo meat exporters, is planning a DNA-based testing system to strengthen meat verification and traceability, amid concerns over illegal meat exports and suspected mixing of banned cow meat with buffalo meat consignments, two people directly involved in the process said.The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which reports to the consumer affairs ministry, has started a study to validate a real-time PCR-based test to detect buffalo DNA in foodstuff and feedstuff to check adulteration and improve species verification in animal-derived products, the people said on the condition of anonymity.“The study's findings will pave the way for introducing new standards as the existing international ISO standards currently do not provide a dedicated method for buffalo DNA detection,” one of the two people cited above said. “Because processed or minced meat is difficult to identify visually, DNA/PCR testing is widely used internationally to verify the animal species and detect adulteration."DNA-based testing refers to a scientific method that identifies the exact animal species in food products by analysing unique genetic material, helping regulators detect adulteration even in processed or mixed products.

PCR, which stands for polymerase chain reaction, is a molecular laboratory technique to study DNA segments.The proposed DNA-based system aims to help authorities scientifically verify the exact animal origin of meat products and strengthen confidence among importing countries. This comes in the backdrop of importing countries tightening food authentication and traceability norms following incidents of meat adulteration such as the 2013 European horse meat