Animal species identification and verification

Meat authenticity testing helps you to verify meat species in raw and processed products, detect undeclared substitutions, and detect traces of species DNA in environmental swabs. Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories support you to ensure label accuracy, regulatory compliance and consumer trust.

Applications of meat species testing 

  • Verify that meat products match declared species on product labelling
  • Detect substitution with undeclared or lower-value meat species
  • Confirm the absence of species not permitted in certain markets
  • Support brand protection and supply chain due diligence
  • Monitor authenticity in both domestic and imported meat products
  • Provide cleaning verification for production environments

Supporting vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, and feed industries

We can screen for mammalian, bird, and fish DNA to help support meat-free claims, alongside ELISA testing for egg, milk proteins, crustacean, and mollusc allergens. A dedicated screening for pig, horse, and donkey DNA is also available to support Halal compliance programmes. 

As a result of the BSE crisis, restrictions on the use of ruminants as feed ingredients still apply to certain feedstuffs. To support feed producers, we also offer the detection of ruminants, along with other services. 

Meat species testing using DNA analysis 

DNA is extracted from the sample, and target DNA is amplified by RT-PCR using species-specific primers and probes. This enables high-specificity detection, even in processed products. Eurofins Food & Feed Testing offers accredited methods for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis to determine which species are present. Protein-based analysis using ELISA also allows you to test for egg, milk, and whey proteins (e.g., casein, ß-lactoglobulin), as well as molluscs and crustaceans (tropomyosin), to support vegan claims in addition to PCR based assays. With rapid turnarounds and large capacity, we are here to support your business credibility.

Why choose Eurofins Food & Feed Testing?

  • High sensitivity: we can detect low levels of undeclared meat species
  • Versatility: suitable for raw, cooked, cured, and mixed-ingredient products
  • Supports compliance: we help you to demonstrate alignment with UK and EU food authenticity and labelling requirements
  • Customisable testing: target a single species or screen for multiple species in one analysis
  • Proactive risk management: reduce the risk of food fraud and mislabelling in supply chains

Get in touch

Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, access our competence centre services, or do you need tailored analytical or consultancy support?

Contact Eurofins Food Testing UK today to speak to our experts by submitting an enquiry form or calling +44 (0) 845 604 6740.

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