Genetic traceability of livestock products: A review

Traceability is the ability to maintain the identification of animal, or animal products, all along the production chain. It represents an essential tool to safeguard public and animal health and to valorize typical production systems. European food legislation is particularly strict and traceability systems, based on product labeling, have become mandatory in all European countries. However, the implementation of this system does not ensure consumers against fraud. Paper documents can be counterfeit so researchers have focused on the study of genetic traceability systems based on products identification through DNA analysis. In fact DNA is inalterable, detectable in every cell, resistant to heat treatments, and allows for individual, breed or species identification. Even if results are promising, these techniques are too expensive to be converted in routine tests but they could be a trusted tool for verification of suspected fraud. The present review proposes a synthesis of the major advances made in individual, breed, and species genetic identification in the last years, focusing on advantages and disadvantages and on their real future applications for animal productions. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.