IdentiGEN Partners to Provide Animal Traceability

IdentiGEN North America is partnering with Aurora Packing Company to provide DNA-traceable beef for its US and export customers.  Aurora Angus Beef with DNA TraceBack is being marketed to high-end restaurants and retail stores.

Angus origins are verified through the animal’s unique DNA, which is gathered using a food-safe sampling device at various stages of production, to quickly trace meat back to the animal of origin.

“Aurora is committed to delivering complete transparency to our customers,” said Lowell Zoet, vice president and general manager of Aurora Packing Company, a 70-year-old company based in Northern Illinois. “We like DNA-based traceability because it offers foolproof assurances to consumers that Aurora Angus has been produced according to the highest standards as set forth in our program.”

DNA TraceBack enables retailers, meat producers, meat processors and food service outlets to respond to the growing consumer demand, both domestically and in export markets, for more information about where and how their food is produced.

IdentiGEN is also working in Canada with PetLynx Corporation using similar technology to develop a traceback system that will help the Canadian companion animal industry to increase the protection afforded pet families who wish to adopt pets from responsible breeders certified by Canada's new Breeder Codes of Practice.

PetLynx Corporation is an emerging utility headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  PetLynx has created the largest automated recovery service and identification registry in the Canadian market with more than 1.7 million registered entities.

Consumer confidence in the pets they adopt and the security of the food they purchase for all members of the family are two of the most pressing matters before the public in North America today.

IdentiGEN conducts DNA TraceBack analysis for US and Canadian companies at its lab in Lawrence, Kansas, USA.  IdentiGEN technology is a cost effective way of providing traceability in most animal value chains.

PetLynx and IdentiGen North America Sign MOA

PetLynx Corporation is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with IdentiGEN North America, Inc.  The purpose of this agreement is to bring DNA services to the companion animal industry.  During 2011 the parties will collaborate to conduct a pilot program with PetLynx associates in the Canadian industry.  The Parties believe DNA services will add an important element to the National Codes of Conduct and for identifying compliant breeders in the Canadian marketplace.

It is expected this service, together with the new BreederLynx™ portal, will assist compliant breeders to demonstrate the level of professionalism they bring to homing pets with Canadian pet families.  In the future, this service can also provide confirmation for those who acquire pets from compliant breeders, retailers and adopters that their animals have been screened for common genetic disorders.