OGL SpeciesCheckTM
U.S. FDA-compliant Seafood DNA Barcoding
(Genetic Identification of Seafood Samples)
"Substituted and/or mislabeled seafood is considered to be misbranded by the U.S. FDA and is a violation of Federal law" (FDA LIB 4420). The U.S. FDA has already begun genetic testing for species identification using a DNA barcoding approach as a way to combat seafood fraud and mislabeling. The penalties for mislabeling, including unintentional mislabeling, may be severe and may include fines and imprisonment. Ocean Genome Legacy offers the same FDA-compliant genetic testing for species identification directly to the seafood industry and the general public.
Why choose OGL SpeciesCheckTM seafood barcoding service?
The genetics lab at OGL has extensive experience in genetic species identification diagnostic techniques, including DNA barcoding.
- OGL's testing procedures and results are U.S. FDA-Compliant
- OGL reports utilize only FDA Acceptable Market Names for Seafood Sold in Interstate Commerce
- OGL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization- all proceeds fund marine conservation research at OGL
- OGL is a non-governmental organization- results are confidential and reported only to the client
OGL SpeciesCheckTM seafood barcoding service is available to:
- Seafood distributors
- Restaurants
- Retail and commercial fish markets
- State and Federal regulatory agencies
- Members of the general public
How it works:
Tissue, whole blood samples, or DNA samples listed from finfish species in the FDA Reference Library can be analyzed. Contact us for detailed instructions.
Step 1. Fill out the Order Form to obtain the appropriate sample collection kit. Kits include everything needed for sample collection and submission: 2D barcode labeled vials, disposable tissue punches, and detailed instructions.
The cost of the kit includes DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing, DNA sequence analysis, and final report.
| Kit Type | Price |
| 94 sample kit | $3,325 ($35/sample) |
| 47 sample kit | $1,824 ($38/sample) |
*Contact us for higher or lower volume pricing.
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Step 2. Follow the simple instructions to sample your seafood, fill out the Order Processing Form and submit your samples to OGL for processing. No refrigeration required.
Step 3. When we receive your samples we will:
- extract DNA,
- PCR amplify the "DNA barcode region" of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI),
- sequence the gene, and
- identify the seafood species using the FDA Reference Standard Sequence Library for Seafood Identification
- issue a simple report based on U.S. FDA protocols and U.S. FDA-Acceptable Market Names. All laboratory tests are conducted blind and all results are confidential. The report will be issued 7-10 business days following the receipt of samples (expedited processing is possible- contact us).
OGL SpeciesCheckTM Report:
You will receive a report for each sample returned with the kit indicating that the test result is consistent with:
- the US FDA Acceptable Species and/or Market Name reported by the client (correctly labeled)
- a Species and/or Market Name DIFFERENT from that reported by the client (mislabeled). In this case the closest matching U.S. FDA Acceptable Species and/or Market Name, or closest non- US FDA species or market name will be reported.
- an ambiguous result or failed test.
Note: The client should expect some samples (typically fewer than 20%) will not produce an interpretable result. This may be the result of poor sample quality, cross-contamination, insufficient sample quantity, failure to follow kit instructions, a hybrid individual, or other unidentifiable causes. The client is responsible for providing samples of sufficient quality for testing. OGL will reimburse the cost of the failed portion of the test kit when we deem those failures to be the result of technical errors on the part of OGL.
Disclaimer
The results provided by the OGL SpeciesCheckTM service are the opinion of Ocean Genome Legacy, Inc. ("OGL"), based on tests performed in compliance with standards and guidelines for DNA-based seafood identification established by the US Food and Drug Administration(1), and with respect to USFDA's reference library extant at the time of request. Tests are performed on the samples as received from the client by OGL and as labeled by the client. The client takes full responsibility for the condition of the samples and for any contamination of the samples at the time of receipt that may lead to a failed, misleading, or un-interpretable test results. The client confirms that the provided samples have been collected legally and in compliance with all applicable international, federal, state and local regulations and that the client has the legal authority to convey the samples to OGL. Upon receipt, the provided samples become the property of OGL. Samples may be entirely consumed or destroyed during the testing process and therefore will not be returned to the client. Results of the OGL SpeciesCheckTM analyses are confidential and are provided to the client only. The client agrees to take full responsibility for any and all interpretations, uses, dissemination and communication of the information provided by the OGL SpeciesCheckTM service. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the client hereby irrevocably waives all legal and equitable rights relating to all liabilities, losses, claims, costs, demands, actions, suits, damages and expenses, including but not limited to, claims or causes of action in tort, contract or any other legal theory, now known or hereafter known in any jurisdiction throughout the world (collectively, "Claims"), arising directly or indirectly from the use, interpretation, publication or distribution of data provided by the OGL SpeciesCheckTM service. In addition, the client agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless OGL and its employees, directors, agents and affiliates against any and all third party Claims resulting directly or indirectly from the use, interpretation, publication or distribution of data provided by the OGL SpeciesCheckTM service. OGL is not sanctioned by the US FDA or by any other federal, state, or local government or agency. OGL has no legal authority to issue certifications of authenticity.
(1)http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/Seafood/DNAspeciation/default.htm
