An Alberta fresh pork processor has moved to a “state-of-the-art” DNA traceability system that can trace its pork from the retail meat case back to the processor and farm of origin.
Sturgeon Valley Pork, a federally inspected facility supplying the western Canadian market from St. Albert, northwest of Edmonton, said in a release Wednesday that it has begun using the DNA TraceBack system developed by Irish firm IdentiGen.
“Under the system, DNA samples will be taken from Sturgeon Valley hogs at the processing plant and sent to IdentiGen’s laboratory, where their unique DNA identifiers are used to verify product origin,” the company said.
Read Also

Mexico sees 32 per cent jump in flesh-eating screwworm cases since August as cases move north
Mexico recorded 6,703 cases of animals infested with New World screwworm as of September 13 since the start of the outbreak in November of last year. That was compared to 5,086 confirmed cases during the previous period, which ended August 17.
Once the program is implemented, Sturgeon Valley pork sold at retail will display IdentiGen’s DNA TraceBack seal at the retail meat case.
“The DNA TraceBack program helps link Sturgeon Valley producers directly with the consumer. Because it is based on sound science, it provides an added assurance that helps us build trust with our customers,” said Dan Majeau, one of the principals at Sturgeon Valley Pork and a member of the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency’s pork value chain advisory committee.