AFT History and Milestones

2000 – Started development of DNA-based diagnostics for seafood species identification through USDA SBIR research grant targeted toward the growing national issue.

2000 – Collaborated with the Seafood Industry to collect fish and shellfish species for taxonomical verification at museums across the country to establish a validated database of reference specimens.

2002 – Developed and launched PCR multiplex for crab – Authenti-kit(SM) for Crab.

2004 – Developed and launched PCR multiplex for catfish – Authenti-kit(SM) for Catfish.

2005 – Began partnering with US Foods after US Foods approached AFT to start a grouper authentication program, following recommendation by NOAA NMFS, being the first partnership of this magnitude within the industry.

2005 – Worked with US Foods, FDA, and other Seafood Industry stakeholders to develop an acceptable sampling plan for species identification testing.

2006 – Collaborated extensively with FDA to create regulatory standards and protocols currently recommended for molecular regulatory compliance testing for species identification.

2006 – Authenti-kit(SM) for Catfish becomes the first DNA method accepted for regulatory compliance testing by FDA after FDA approves Authenti-kit(SM) for Catfish for use in regulatory compliance testing under Import Alert 16-128.

2007 – AFT’s regulatory testing program expanded to collaborations with multiple state agencies to create state standards and testing programs for species identification testing using Authenti-kit(SM) for Catfish.

2007 – Collaborated with FDA to develop the extraction protocol for DNA-barcoding for fish species identification which later became FDA LIB-4420.

2007 – Greatly expanded industry and regulatory testing programs using DNA-barcoding for most fish species outside the Authenti-kit(SM) product line.

2008 – Teamed with FDA to develop the requirements for private laboratory data reports (ORA Laboratory Manual, Section 7) for DNA-barcoding for Import Alert 16-128.

2008 – Began analyzing DNA sequence discrepancies in commonly used databases, such as Genbank and Fish Barcode of Life, to develop definitive secondary tests to differentiate between closely-related species of commercially important seafood that cannot be distinguished using data from the public databases alone.

2009 – Initiated substantial research and development program to create DNA mini-barcoding and real-time PCR methods to discriminate closely related species, allowing AFT to distinguish between closely related species that are indistinguishable using current DNA-barcoding or public database-related protocols.

Today – considered the “gold standard” for fish and seafood species identification testing

• Over a decade of experience working with both regulatory agencies and industry to create tests to address mislabeling of seafood in US commerce.
• The only company in the industry using a taxonomically validated database for all DNA species identification testing.
• The most trusted name in the industry working with several of the world’s largest seafood companies to insure quality seafood on every plate.