Russian researchers developed a DNA multiplex assay based on mitochondrial ATPase, which could simultaneously detect ten species (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, cat, dog, rat, mouse and human) at 0.1-0.2% levels in mixed meat species. They collected 53 samples of meat products both raw and processed from supermarkets in Moscow and the Moscow Region. Forty-nine of the samples were found to contain species not declared on the label, with the most frequent adulteration being the substitution of high value meat (such as beef and turkey) by chicken, which suggests economically motivated substitution. Two samples had both rat and human DNA contamination suggesting very poor hygienic practices. The researchers admit that the assay is sensitive and some of the samples with non-declared ovine DNA could be through cross-contamination.
Read the article at: Russian meat survey and the abstract in Meat Science here
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