Yet another amazing technological innovation: the bioMérieux FoodExpert-ID, a microchip that can detect the presence or absence of 33 animal species' DNA sequences in food, from AffyMetrix™ [via BoingBoing]. From the AffyMetrix™ site:

The presence of unwanted or unknown animal species in food, can have a range of effects from benign to deathly serious and is of great concern for public health, economic, religious and legal reasons. Manufacturers and consumers alike have been unable to examine the composition of food at a molecular level. However, for the first time, the bioMérieux FoodExpert-ID Array is being used to detect DNA sequences specific to an animal, allowing species composition to be determined, safeguarding the purity and authenticity of food products.

Keeping kosher? Check your dish for pork, shellfish, rabbit or other treyf meats. Hindi? No beef with that. Allergic to seafood? Check your chowder. Vegan? You'll be guaranteed nothing with a face is on your plate. On the other side of the coin, you'll know whether that $15 foie gras tidbit is the real deal, or just chopped liver.

Never again will you have to ask, "what was in that Chop Suey?"

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