During 2013, the Horse Meat scandal led to consumers losing their confidence in meat products, and the honestly of the paper trail. Without analytical, independent authentication of what meat is what, then people and companies can lie; and they did. Therefore, DNA authentication is increasingly used as a method where the results can’t lie, and can be independently verified. Find out how here at Seaweed and Co. we developed and use this process for our DNA Authenticated SeaweedTM.
DNA Authentication
A new US Government program is testing the reliability of DNA techniques for botanical identification. It is a voluntary study being carried out by AHPA (American Herbal Products Association). The aim of the DNA analysis study is to look at the effectiveness of currently used methods of DNA sequencing for botanical ingredients identification. The study will be spilt into two main steps. The first being a straightforward botanical identification. This should be a standard approach for most labs. The second part will be using a more challenging sample for botanical identification. This should test the labs capabilities, and the effectiveness therefore of the technique.
Chief scientific officer of AHPA, Maged Sharaf said ‘being able to reliably use DNA to ID very similar samples is key to its reliability’. The purpose of the DNA study is to “look at the reality of the current DNA testing technologies and methods to see how successful they are”.
DNA Authentication Standards
In 2015, Eric Schneiderman, New York Attorney General, tested herbal supplements and found four American retailers were allegedly selling fraudulent products! This led to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compiling a list of standards to use in DNA Identification, after failing to fully employ DNA barcoding technology. Sharaf said ‘they are looking to develop suites of standards for each botanical’.
Our DNA Authenticated Seaweed Standards
With over 10,000 species of seaweed worldwide you want to make sure that you are getting the right one. Even more so, you want to know you are getting from the source, and of the quality you are being sold. One way of doing this is using our DNA authenticated seaweed.
DNA Authenticated Seaweed standards were developed by Seaweed & Co. with an independent and specialist DNA laboratory. The labs are UKAS accredited, and the techniques part of their ISO standards.
DNA analysis is most useful when working with natural ingredients like seaweed. Particularly where contamination is possible with other species, and other sources.
Our testing goes even further than this. Independent analysis showed that our Patent Pending technologies and techniques of production allows for DNA analysis, whereas others do not. This is due to our gentler, lower temperature and more effective processing that preserves key nutrients. The same species of seaweed, from the same factory, but that does not follow our Patent Pending techniques, cannot have the DNA extracted. This is likely due to the heat during more standard processing, even when purported as food grade, and which also results in lower measures on quality. Therefore, our DNA Authenticated Seaweed is a measure of type of seaweed and provenance of supply chain.
At Seaweed & Co. we use DNA Authenticated Seaweed, with full traceability to ensure the best quality possible. The DNA Authenticated Seaweed is a key part of our traceability system. This involves full chemical and nutritional analysis, iodine standardisation, logging the details of the harvesting sites, maps, photographs and other details; even including the name of the harvesters!!
Our customers can track the traceability through the website for each batch, by entering the batch number. Get in touch to see our traceability demonstration.