Pork

The leading European laboratory for pork origin

Committed to protecting British standards of pig welfare through forensic methods.

After working for over a decade with producers, pig companies and industry regulators, such as AHDB pork, to verify the origin of pork and pork products, we know that it’s important be able to differentiate the different origins of pork.

Our own Neural Network model for isotope analysis helps us to check the declared origin of pork, or to highlight suspicious samples.

A long history of testing pork

The first major use of SIRA in the UK was by Agroisolab and AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board).

Since then, we have developed and expanded our technology and methods, and are able to test a wide range of pork products for not only origin, but also organic verification.

We are able to test for the origin of fresh pork, ham and bacon, as well as dried and cured pork products, using stable isotope analysis.

Which countries can we test?

Agroisolab is able to verify the origin of pork products from the following countries:

Austria
England
France
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Poland
Republic of Ireland
Scotland
Spain
Sweden
Wales

Reasons for origin mislabelling in pork

European hydrogen isoscape for pork - click image to expand

There are multiple reasons for origin mislabelling in food, not all origin mislabelling is motivated by profit. Agroisolab have worked with the European pig industries for over a decade to help improve traceability and identify issues in pork products.

In no particular order, here are the top 5 reasons we see origin mislabelling in pork.

• Food fraud / intentional mislabelling for profit

• Weak quality management systems

• Lack of understanding of the supply chain / buying in bulk off a screen

• Products shipped abroad for processing

• Suppliers using any means to meet the tough demands of a contract

Agroisolab will work with your business to improve your quality management system and insulate you from food fraud.