Australian red meat gets traceability enhancement across supply chains

Independent regulator Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has partnered with Oritain to develop a traceability system for Australian beef and lamb products to be identified and distinguished among other produce across supply chains.

MLA and Oritain will develop ‘origin fingerprints’ and upon completion, the Australian red meat industry and its stakeholders now have the ability to scientifically verify and authenticate Australian beef and lamb products from anywhere in global supply chains.

Today, consumer demand for authenticity and transparency is on the rise, as is also food fraud.

Referencing 2014 data from Michigan State University researcher John Spink, MLA said in a statement that the Australian red meat industry is worth $28.5 billion with $17.2b in export receipts. This huge scale exposes Australian exports to the international food fraud trade, currently estimated to cost the global food industry USD $50b per year.

“The Australian red meat industry and its reputation for quality and safety is not immune to this exposure and risk – substitution and product misrepresentation impacts all stakeholders in one way or another,” said MLA.

“Australia’s beef and lamb exports represent a significant percentage of the Australian food and agricultural sector and are enjoyed in more than 100 countries around the world. Much of that success is owed to the valuable reputation afforded by our food safety, quality, and brand ‘Australia’,” the organisation said.

MLA continued that protecting consumer trust is therefore paramount for the continued success of the Australian red meat industry.

By developing ‘origin fingerprints’ for Australian beef and lamb, a platform is now developed enabling robust and objective in-market ‘verification of origin’ testing. Adoption of this market-leading technology will enhance existing traceability systems, discourage and deter dishonest behaviour, while increasing trust and confidence in brand ‘Australia’.

Source: MLA