Detection of species in meat and meat products using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

摘要

Detection of species adulteration in meat products is important for consumer protection and food labelling law enforcement. In this study, samples of 28 fermented sausages, 14 cooked salami, 11 frankfurters, 9 raw meats, 16 raw meat minces and meat balls, 3 pastramis, 2 hams, 5 bacons, 7 cooked meats and 5 canned products available in Turkey were subjected to species determination using ELISA test kits containing monoclonal antibodies. 11 of 28 fermented sausages (39.2%), 5 of 14 cooked salami (35.7%), 3 of 11 frankfurters (27.2%), 2 of 9 raw meats (22.2%) and 1 of 16 raw meat minces and meat ball (6.2%) samples were found to contain undeclared species. Fermented sausage, cooked salami and frankfurter samples that had been declared as beef only contained poultry meat. Raw meat samples that were declared as beef contained horse and deer meat. 1 meat ball sample declared as beef was found to be poultry meat. Overall, 22.0% of the tested samples were not in compliance with Turkish Food Codex regulations, violating consumer rights and presenting a potential public health risk. It is suggested that a broad national control programme by a central authority is required to protect consumers and to prevent unfair competition.