Randox Food Diagnostics Leads the Field with Unique USDA Approval for Ractopamine Screening

Randox Food Diagnostics is celebrating a double first after receiving notification of US Department of Agriculture Approval for its Ractopamine screening products. As the only USDA approved supplier of screening technology for Ractopamine the award is expected to signpost major demand from pork customers across the US and linked markets.

In recent years the Russian ban on US meat products has been the focus of diplomatic relations, with the US Ambassador Michael McFaul to Moscow last month estimating losses of between $5-6m per annum. Similarly last April China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine announced a prohibition. In 2012 the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to a full ban despite a vote by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to establish a recommended limit.

With exports restricted, the US Department of Agriculture established the ‘Never Fed Beta Agonists Program’ allowing US producers to verify products as suitable for export to these markets. Both Randox Food Diagnostics’ ground-breaking BioChip Array Technology and traditional ELISA products received the USDA approval, currently the sole approved screening methods for Ractopamine, the commonly used beta-agonist.

Joanne McKnight, Randox Food Diagnostics Meat & Seafood Business Development Manager said “We are delighted to secure this accreditation, as gaining US Department of Agriculture approval was a key milestone in our business development strategy.

“Although this is a US benchmark, we know USDA is a reference point for industry standards well beyond American shores, so we expect it to give customers confidence in the quality and reliability of our products on a global basis.

“The US is one of our largest markets and we supply a wide range of drug residue screening products across the meat & seafood, honey & dairy industries, as well as wine-analysis kits. We are particularly pleased to have been approved for both our high-quality ELISA products and revolutionary new BioChip Array Technology.

“The fact that we are the only company to receive this accreditation for screening reflects Randox Food Diagnostics drive for innovation, and demonstrates that whatever the requirements of customers, all Randox products are developed to the highest standards and performance.”