New DNA Test Cuts Time To Find Horsemeat In Food From Two Days To Less Than Four Hours

Date: Mar-29-2013QIAGEN's real-time DNA testing solution makes food testing fast and reliable. Call to introduce common food testing standards across the European Union

A new DNA test launched this week cuts the time it takes to find horsemeat in food from
two days to less than four hours. The process was developed by QIAGEN, the world's leading
provider of molecular sample and assay technologies.

The new testing method can detect in real time even minute traces of horsemeat (<1%).
It is standardised, fully automated and highly reliable - unlike traditional test
procedures for DNA and protein, which are slow, error-prone and cumbersome. QIAGEN
developed the sample-to-result test process in record time, to help provide a solution to
address Europe's latest food crisis. The test is available immediately and worldwide.

"Current and previous scandals reveal a fundamental flaw in Europe's food surveillance
systems. The consumer is asking for rules and testing standards that ensure our food
contains what it says on the label. Only such tests can ensure that the economic future of
Europe's farmers and food industry will not be jeopardised by a few rogue traders," said
Dr. Dietrich Hauffe, Senior Vice President and Head of Life Sciences at QIAGEN. "A
regulatory framework with a comprehensive and standardised testing regime will benefit
grocery shoppers, food producers, retailers and testing service providers."

There are currently only limited rules in the European Union on how to test food
ingredients for their authenticity. Furthermore, test outcomes differ from country to
country and test lab to test lab. That's because the two most common test methods - ELISA
tests for proteins, and end-point PCR tests for DNA - are cumbersome, lack common
standards and, in the case of the ELISA test, don't always work for processed food.

In contrast, QIAGEN's solutions can be implemented across Europe to contribute to
uniform testing standards. The testing system is based upon real-time PCR and incorporates
proprietary technologies for the reliable and fast extraction of DNA, which is regarded as
one of the most challenging steps in food testing. The new test complements QIAGEN's
existing offering of more than 30 different tests for food safety, which is considered to
be the broadest range of real-time PCR tests in the industry. QIAGEN technology also helps
to diagnose a wide range of diseases, and is widely used in forensics, veterinary testing
as well as life science and pharmaceutical research.

PCR test: Polymerase chain reaction, a method of producing multiple copies of specific
DNA and RNA sequences for detection and evaluation. PCR is one of the most frequently used
techniques in many areas of basic and applied research, from forensics and medical
diagnostics to food testing. QIAGEN offers several PCR technologies and a proprietary PCR
detection platform.

Elisa test: The Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay test uses antibodies and colour
changes to identify proteins or other substances in liquid or wet samples.

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.