Detection of species adulteration in meat products and Mozzarella-type cheeses using duplex PCR of mitochondrial cyt b gene: A food safety concern in Bangladesh

Food origin authentication is imperative for consumer protection. This study explored meat and milk species identification as a pioneering country-specific report on mislabeling prevalence among processed meat and milk products in Bangladesh. Meat products (64; sausages, burger patty, meatball, kabab) labeled as chicken or beef and Mozzarella-type cheeses (25), made in Bangladesh and of overseas origins, were analyzed for species detection. Two duplex PCR (cattle-buffalo and chicken-pig) were applied with species-specific mitochondrial Cyt b gene primers and determine to be accurate for species identification in meat and milk. Bangladeshi origin beef-labeled products were found to be mixed with buffalo (n = 2) and chicken (n = 5) suggesting up to one third of products might be mislabeled. Such mislabeling would allow these ‘beef’ products to charge a higher price compared with chicken products that command a lower price. Imported meat products were also found mislabeled with buffalo and chicken. Cheese samples, declared as bovine, were found to contain buffalo DNA, and no cattle or buffalo DNA was found in six imported cheese samples. All the meat and cheese products were Halal, as none contained pig DNA. This pilot study shows the majority of products were labelled correctly, but large proportions were not and strict monitoring is recommended to ensure food safety and address consumer preferences, especially religious concerns.