Beefing up traceability: Aldi’s premium range Scotch beef program matches cuts to original animal

29 Oct 2019 --- Aldi has introduced a new traceability program across its premium Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef range, which allows the supermarket to match cuts of meat with the animal of origin, guaranteeing full traceability. Dubbed DNA Traceback, the initiative works with the supply chain to allow the discount retailer to trace every piece of Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef back to the animal by matching the DNA of the beef product to the animal. This boost in traceability comes amid rising consumer demands for food transparency.

Aldi is stepping up its strategy toward provenance and domestic sourcing through DNA Traceback, pledging the highest quality Scotch beef in all 90 of its Scottish stores. The beef can only be labeled Scotch when it is sourced from selected Scottish farms that adopt best practice regarding animal welfare and production methods.

The program follows Aldi being recognized earlier this year as the strongest supporter of Scotch beef in two of the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland’s shelf watch surveys. Both results reported that 96 percent of beef and 86 percent of beef burgers available on Aldi’s shelves are sourced from Scottish farmers.

Originating from the North East of Scotland, Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef is renowned for its tenderness, flavor and juiciness having been reared by farmers who are committed to a high standard of quality, food safety and animal welfare. 

Aldi’s Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Scotch range consists of ten products including steaks, fresh and frozen burgers, mince, beef sausages, roasting joint and steak pie.

“We understand that product transparency is becoming more important to consumers, and after listening to our customers, we are extremely pleased to introduce full traceability to our Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef range,” says Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland.

“By tracing our Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef back to the farm and the animal of origin, we can ensure that the products we stock are produced to the highest quality and welfare standards. From farm to fork, we believe it is important to provide this level of trust to our customers.”

In March, Tyson Fresh Meats, the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc, joined forces with IdentiGEN to use DNA technology to trace beef back to the individual animal of origin. Its DNA TraceBack system is a tool to trace the cattle raised for Tyson’s Open Prairie Natural Angus Beef, proving exactly where the premium cuts of beef come from. While the technology is only being used for beef initially, the company is also exploring the use of DNA technology in other parts of its meat business.

As consumers become even more connected to the plate and technology advances are becoming greater enablers, the role of transparency will remain a key theme in 2020 and beyond.

Edited by Gaynor Selby