The importance of point-of-care devices in the meat industry

The meat supply chain continuum needs to be managed for sufficient levels of consumer protection. Healthy animals are an essential precondition for a safe food supply, since zoonotic diseases are a major threat to public health, as evidenced by the ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic. Concerning livestock, early information about the prevalence of major health hazards of bacterial origin is of utmost importance for effective control on the farm. Early detection of Salmonella, Campylobacter, STEC, Listeria monocytogenes, etc. in fecal samples, as well as monitoring blood levels of metabolites relevant for animal welfare (hormones) and animal health (acute phase proteins), can provide high-level control in the pig farming industry. Integration of biosensors for pathogens and metabolites in the pig farm-to-slaughterhouse continuum is a practical and cost-efficient tool for early detection of signs that can jeopardize meat safety (Figure 1). Point-Of-Care DIBMES solutions are an advantage in comparison to the commonly used methods ELISA and RT-PCR, as well as other sensors available on the market which do not provide possibilities of early detection and require expensive equipment, trained personnel and significant time for sample transfer and analyses.