Aberdeen Angus test launched

A NEW genetic test has been launched in the UK to confirm the authenticity of Aberdeen Angus beef.

Ron McHattie, the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society’s chief executive, said the test should enhance consumer confidence in the Aberdeen Angus brand and would help stamp out abuse of the name.

Beef sold as Aberdeen Angus must be from pure-bred cattle or sired by an Angus bull. Mr McHattie could not put a figure on how much beef was fraudulently sold in the UK as Aberdeen Angus.

“But we know it goes on in both the retail and catering sectors,” he said.

“Many retailers have extensive and thorough documentation to ensure the product’s authenticity, but others don’t have the same scruples.”

The test has been developed by Eurofins, one of Europe’s largest food-testing firms, over the past two years.

UK operations manager Jeremy Davies claimed it was 99.9% accurate. It takes about 10 days to complete and costs about £100 a sample.

Dr Davies said that while the test was being evaluated, Eurofins staff bought samples of beef sold as Aberdeen Angus from a number of outlets in England.

“Between 18 and 20% of those samples we tested were fraudulent,” he said.