New system to rigorously test pork labelled as British

A new, scientifically-based system has been introduced to enhance the traceability and integrity of Red Tractor pork's origin.

The system has undergone extensive research, as well as two years of development and rigorous testing, in order to confirm that all pork labelled as British is actually from Britain.

Not only will the new system, called Stable Isotope Reference Analysis (SIRA), increase trust throughout the supply chain, it will also provide additional confidence in Red Tractor pork for consumers.

Believed to be the first time SIRA has been used in the UK food industry, it works via a database of samples extracted from pork taken from known UK locations and comparing them to retail pork samples.

This process will determine whether or not the pork comes from the UK. Any pork labelled as British that has a low probability of matching the database is subjected to a detailed traceability audit.

The system will be in addition to the audit trial already in place, and is intended to include testing of bacon and ham in the near future. Thereafter, SIRA will be extended to the whole foodservice sector.

Mick Sloyan, director of BPEX, the organisation behind the new pork system, said: "By embracing the SIRA system, the UK pig industry has again demonstrated its willingness to employ the latest techniques to ensure that consumers can have every confidence in the quality and integrity of assured pork."