An Alberta fresh pork processor has moved to a “state-of-the-art” DNA traceability system that can trace its pork from the retail meat case back to the processor and farm of origin.
Sturgeon Valley Pork, a federally inspected facility supplying the western Canadian market from St. Albert, northwest of Edmonton, said in a release Wednesday that it has begun using the DNA TraceBack system developed by Irish firm IdentiGen.
“Under the system, DNA samples will be taken from Sturgeon Valley hogs at the processing plant and sent to IdentiGen’s laboratory, where their unique DNA identifiers are used to verify product origin,” the company said.
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Once the program is implemented, Sturgeon Valley pork sold at retail will display IdentiGen’s DNA TraceBack seal at the retail meat case.
“The DNA TraceBack program helps link Sturgeon Valley producers directly with the consumer. Because it is based on sound science, it provides an added assurance that helps us build trust with our customers,” said Dan Majeau, one of the principals at Sturgeon Valley Pork and a member of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency’s pork value chain advisory committee.
