Swiss company launches rapid test to identify A2 milk-producing cows

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

The new test allows dairy farms and companies to test their cows to detect the A1 beta-casein allele and identify A2 milk-producing cows. Pic: SwissDeCode
The new test allows dairy farms and companies to test their cows to detect the A1 beta-casein allele and identify A2 milk-producing cows. Pic: SwissDeCode

Related tags A2 milk

Swiss foodtech company SwissDeCode is launching the DNAFoil A2 Cow Test, a rapid kit that allows dairy farms and companies to test their cows independently and on the spot, in order to detect the presence of the A1 beta-casein allele and identify A2 milk-producing cows.

The new test comes to answer the market’s demands for A2 milk testing and joins the DNAFoil A2 Cow Milk Test, launched last year.

A non-invasive, sample-to-result solution The DNAFoil A2 Cow is an accurate test that uses tail hair samples from cows to detect the presence of the A1 beta-casein allele. Providing all necessary material, the all-in-one test can be performed on-site, including by non-experts.

The company said the reliable and easily-interpretable results are available in 45 minutes, including approximately 15 minutes hands-on time. This shortens the time to result, compared to current analytical methods.

Following the launch of the DNAFoil A2 Cow Milk last year, a test that allows dairy processing companies to assess the purity of batches of A2 milk, SwissDeCode now adds a new product to the A2 family of tests, as customers expressed their interest in testing not only batches of milk, but also individual cows.

By offering products that are useful to breeders, farms, processing companies and others, the company said the A2 family of tests has the potential to secure the authenticity and transparency of a large part of the A2 milk supply chain.

“We redesigned DNA testing to scan over 3bn DNA letters present in the hair of a cow and return a simple test band when that important A1 or A2 letter is present. By putting this powerful tool in the hands of farmers, we are helping them bring better milk products to market and enabling pure A2 supply chains and efficient herd management,”​ said Gianpaolo Rando, CTO and co-founder of SwissDeCode.

Related topics R&D Fresh Milk Emerging Markets

Related news