Tm Bioscience to supply Maxxam Analytics with agricultural DNA test
Tm Bioscience Corporation announced it has signed an agreement to manufacture an agricultural DNA test for Maxxam Analytics. Maxxam will develop the panel using Tm Bioscience's Tag-It(TM) technology. The panel will be used in the identification and traceability of livestock and meat products throughout the production process. Maxxam will validate the test and market it as a service targeting high-volume food producers, and expects to begin offering services in the third quarter of 2005.
"The Tag-It(TM) genotyping platform from Tm Bioscience a technology to be integrated into a DNA-traceability system, leading to a cutting-edge comprehensive product for quality assurance programs focused on beef, pork and dairy industry safety," said Dr. Pierre Beaumier, President of Maxxam Analytics. "Tm Bioscience's unique capabilities and leadership position in the field of DNA-based testing is a great fit with Maxxam's expertise in the delivery of analytical services."
Traceability of food products is becoming a larger and larger issue for producers, retailers and consumers. Maxxam has a clear vision to use traceability not only to verify the safety of meat, but also as a means to integrate value-added measures that will allow meat products to be differentiated. Specifically, Maxxam anticipates using additional testing for hormone and veterinary drugs, as well as food-borne pathogen testing, as a means of appealing to health conscious consumers. The use of DNA as a tool for traceability allows meat to be traced from farm to fork.
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