Tyson Fresh Meats has partnered with IdentiGEN to use DNA technology that will help to trace beef back to the animal of origin.

IdentiGEN’s DNA TraceBack system will serve as an important tool to track the cattle raised for Tyson’s Open Prairie Natural Angus Beef.

A DNA sample drawn from the cattle in the Open Prairie programme will be used to track the origin of beef cuts through the supply chain.

Called DNA TraceBack, the process will help assure customers that beef products under the Open Prairie are sourced from ranches wher the cattle have been raised as per specific requirements.

Tyson Fresh Meats vice-president of marketing and premium programmes Kent Harrison said: “This is about meeting growing demand for more transparency about how food is produced.

“Through DNA TraceBack, we’re providing our retail and foodservice customers with scientific evidence that they’re getting high-quality, natural beef from animals raised the way we promised.”

IdentiGEN North American business development vice-president Kent Partida said: “We’re excited to partner with an industry leader like Tyson Fresh Meats.

“Our DNA TraceBack programme is the most advanced meat traceability system available and uses nature’s barcode to link meat from the point of sale back to the source. It will enable retail and foodservice customers of Open Prairie beef to confidently share their traceability story with shoppers.”

Besides featuring no antibiotics or added hormones, products from the Open Prairie brand are third-party verified, include no artificial ingredients, are fed a 100% vegetarian diet and meet USDA Prime and Choice and rigorous animal welfare standards.

Cattle under the programme are raised by independent ranchers, mostly from Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Nebraska.

The beef is produced by Tyson Fresh Meats at its facility in Lexington, Nebraska.