Sciex unveils new halal meat authentication method

Sciex has unveiled a new method used to address the need for increased sensitivity in halal meat authentication for supporting halal meat certifications.

The company’s QTRAP 6500 LC-MS / MS system was used in the development of the new meat species authentication method.

Scientists at the University of Münster in Germany have developed the first method that they claim can identify several species at a time and achieve the lowest limits of detection, even in cooked and highly processed meats.

Sciex said it is critical for consumers of Muslim and Jewish cultures to know that foods have been prepared as per the beliefs of their religions.

There are certain specific limitations in traditional halal meat speciation testing methods that use PCR and ELISA, leading to false product labelling and food fraud.

The new LC-MS / MS based method allows specific and simultaneous detection of protein peptides of various meat species, including beef, chicken, and several others, at levels as low as 0.02%.

It can also be utilised to support Halal certification testing programmes.

Sciex president Jean-Paul Mangeolle said: "This method brings a new level of reliability to food analysis and labelling that will allow millions of people to consume Halal-certified meat with greater confidence.

"It exploits the QTRAP 6500’s superb sensitivity and accuracy to offer powerful new capabilities for faster, multi-species testing in diverse sample types."