Press Releases
New Tools to Guarantee Top Quality Meat Introduced by Genomics Company
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2004
New Tools to Guarantee Top Quality Meat Introduced by Genomics Company
ViaGen Uses Cutting Edge DNA Technology to Determine “What’s in Your Steak”
Austin, Texas — Animal genomics company ViaGen, Inc. today released the first commercially available DNA-based breed identification tests. The AnguSure™ and Inducator™ tests work by detecting DNA markers specific to individual breeds of cattle to assess the level of Angus (AnguSure™) and Brahman influence (Inducator™). While the tests were designed to be used by branded beef programs, cattle producers, retail outlets and restaurants, the ultimate beneficiary will be a more satisfied consumer.
The Angus breed is commonly associated with superior quality meat that leads to a high quality eating experience. For this reason, many consumers are willing to pay a premium for Angus beef. Many branding programs also strive to eliminate cattle with significant Brahman influence. ViaGen designed tests to assure both. The AnguSure™ and Inducator™ tests will add a level of quality control to further strengthen the reputation, quality, consistency, consumer confidence and profitability of brands that use them.
“Branded beef is about quality and consistency. We have developed tests which add a level of genetic assurance to branded meat. We predict that brands that utilize our tests will see an increase in customer loyalty” says Sara Davis, president of ViaGen.
The value of this technology is not limited to packers and branded beef programs. The tests will also be utilized by feeders and producers to pre-qualify their animals for branded programs and achieve higher profitability. Retail outlets and restaurants can also monitor their suppliers to verify quality and ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, the same technology used to develop the AnguSure and Inducator tests will be used to design tests for other breeds (e.g. Hereford, Kobe, etc.) and product lines. ViaGen’s scientific team has developed markers in shrimp, pigs, cattle, deer, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, birds and reptiles. ViaGen can develop customized tests for a variety of applications including product identity, individual animal tracking and parentage testing in virtually any species.
So what is inside your steak? In a test of over 500 beef cuts from four different brands, and across four geographic regions, eight to fifty percent of retail beef carrying a label with the name “Angus” failed one or both genetic tests. As a comparison, fifty-three percent of a smaller sample of unbranded steaks failed one or both tests. Most brands use visual evaluation of the live animal and carcass to determine whether an animal is “Angus-type”; AnguSure™ and Inducator™ provide genetic verification, allowing producers, retailers and consumers greater confidence in the classification.
“The industry is doing a good job with the technology available. But these new tests give producers, retailers and consumers the benefits of 21st century technology, providing them even more control over what they produce, sell and buy in the marketplace,” says Davis.
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