South Africa : Detection of species substitution and mislabelling in meat products
The recent ‘Horsemeat beefburgers’ scandal in Europe makes the last work of the Department of Animal Sciences (University of Stellenbosch) much relevant as they used DNA-based methods to detect such fraudulent practices about meat products available in South Africa.
The results revealed that 68% of analyzed samples of beef meat products (minced meats, burger patties, deli meats, sausages and dried meats) contained species which were not declared on the product labeling. Soya and gluten were identified as undeclared plant proteins in a large number of samples (>28%), while pork (37%) and chicken (23%) were the most commonly detected animal species. Unconventional species such as donkey, goat and water buffalo were also discovered in a number of products.
Whilst there was no risk to health, this study confirmed that the mislabelling of processed meats is commonplace also in South Africa.
[sources]
- Cawthorn D-M, Steinman HA, Hoffman LC, 2013. A high incidence of species substitution and mislabelling detected in meat products sold in South Africa. Food Control 32: 440-449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.01.008
- BBC News, 2013. Horsemeat found in beefburgers on sale in UK and Ireland. 15 January 2013. URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21034942