Welsh lamb passes traceability test
A scientific test for traceability conducted by Oritain and HCC has proved that customers can have extremely high confidence in the integrity of PGI Welsh Lamb, with 100% of the samples taken being confirmed as originating from Welsh farms.
Thanks to the partnership, the already strong PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) traceability system can now be double checked using forensic-level science to verify the origin of Welsh Lamb at all stages of the supply chain.
"Traceability is a vital element of food safety and avoiding food fraud and imitation. It’s also vital to the Welsh red meat industry as we market PGI Welsh Lamb as a premium product. Customers have to know that if it’s Welsh Lamb on the label, it’s Welsh Lamb they’ll get. This becomes even more important as we try to secure new markets for our farmers in the Middle East and Asia," said HCC’s Chief Executive Gwyn Howells.
In recent months, lamb samples have been collected from a wide range of locations – processing plants, wholesalers, supermarkets, butcher shops, hotels and restaurants – in Wales and beyond. Following testing at Oritain’s laboratories, the results confirmed that all the products advertised as Welsh Lamb were genuine.
Oritain’s technology analyses trace elements and isotopes which animals absorb from their natural environment and the grass and water that they consume, to establish a distinctive Welsh ‘fingerprint of origin’.
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