IdentiGEN's DNA Tracking Technology Selected by Retailing Giant TESCO for All of its Beef Sold in Ireland

30/11/06 IdentiGEN Ltd., a leading provider of DNA-based solutions to the agriculture and food industries in Europe, announced an agreement with TESCO to use its proprietary DNA TraceBack tracking system as a means of guaranteeing the source, and by proxy quality and safety of its beef products. Under terms of the agreement TESCO will use the DNA TraceBack brand on all beef sold in its supermarkets and specialty stores in Ireland. TESCO is the fourth largest retailer in the world and the largest food retailer in Ireland.

"DNA-based traceability provides an added level to the quality assurance our customers have come to expect from TESCO, guaranteeing the origin of all of the beef they buy in our Irish stores, whilst underpinning the claims of the premium products we sell," said Liam Forsyth, TESCO Ireland's meat buyer. "With IdentiGEN's DNA TraceBack system we can identify and trace the origin of beef from all of our suppliers to our customers using a system that is based on innovative science, so it is accurate, reliable and cost effective for us to use."

The DNA TraceBack system is based on DNA samples taken from each animal, similar to the use of DNA for forensic identification of humans; as an identifier, DNA is unique, accurate, permanent and tamper-proof. At the retailer, verification samples are systematically taken from meat cuts, including ground beef, and compared with the DNA from source animals to verify product origin and ultimately production history. The company's technology, which was designed by researchers from Trinity College in Dublin, enables identification of products at every stage of the supply chain.

"The agreement allows us to extend our services to a larger segment of shoppers in Ireland through TESCO's extensive chain of supermarkets," said Ronan Loftus, IdentiGEN's Director of Commercial Development. "We are especially pleased to note that TESCO will be using IdentiGEN's DNA TraceBack brand on their private label beef to communicate the important claims they make to consumers. Given the value of TESCO's private label brands, their desire to co-brand underscores the value they place on DNA TraceBack's customer assurance."

IdentiGEN was founded in 1996 by a team of scientists recognized as pioneers in the field of population genetics, and DNA TraceBack was launched in key European markets in the year 2000. In July of this year, IdentiGEN announced expansion into North American markets with formation of a subsidiary in the United States.

"Our selection by a major global retailer such as TESCO supports the value of our DNA TraceBack brand and the quality of the services we provide," said Donald Marvin, President and CEO of IdentiGEN North America, Inc. "We believe this level of recognition will support our growth and expansion in North America and we already see DNA TraceBack attracting the attention of key retailers and meat suppliers in the U.S."