WO2008034847A1

WO2008034847A1 - Sampling device, system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2008034847A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/059905
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronan Loftus; Ciaran Meghen; Carol Scott
Original assignee: Parlanca Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-09-19
Filing date: 2007-09-19
Publication date: 2008-03-27
Also published as: GB0618349D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for obtaining a sample from a meat source, in particular meat samples taken from meat sources in abattoirs with high speed kill lines and high speed meat packing plants. The device (1) includes a handle portion (2) and a sampling portion (3) having at least one scraping edge (6) for removing a meat sample. Advantageously, the device (1) is `omni-directional' allowing a sample of meat to be effectively obtained from the meat source no matter how the user holds the device (1). A system for correlating a sampling device (1) and its sample to a meat source and a method of using the device and/or system are also disclosed.

Description

Sampling Device, System and Method

The present invention relates to a device, system and method for obtaining a sample from a meat source, in particular meat samples taken from meat sources in abattoirs with high speed kill lines and high speed meat packing plants.

In the meat handling and packaging field it has become increasingly important to monitor and control the safety and quality of meat being processed. The rise in importance of such monitoring has been the result of a number of factors. Primarily there is the need to monitor for potential pathogens or meat contamination, this is particularly acute in light of the relatively common outbreaks of E. coll and salmonella, and also the ever present threat of BSE which can lead to CJD in humans. However, there is also a growing need to control meat quality, e.g. tenderness, flavour and taste, and there are now a vast array of potential genetic and other tests which can be used to asses such qualities.

Additionally, in the meat pressing industry there is a need to allow end users or members of the production chain to test meat products to determine the source of the meat. This could involve tracing meat in a product back to an individual animal, farm, abattoir etc. This may be useful to track the source of an outbreak of pathogen, or to determine that the meat is obtained from the appropriate source (e.g. organic farms, kosher or halal meat processing plants or the like). At present it is not generally possible to achieve this due to the lack of central databases of information relating to the particular animals slaughtered and the circumstances surrounding their slaughter. This is at least in part due to the difficulties involved in taking samples from meat in the abattoir or meat processing plant.

In the analysis of meat it is generally required to take a sample of meat, which is typically achieved at or around the point of slaughter, e.g. at the 'hot scales'. This facilitates correlation of the animal or carcass identity with the identity of the sample taken. The samples are generally taken and stored, e.g. under refrigeration, for later analysis. A number of devices to obtain a meat sample from a carcass are known. For example, WO 00/12008 (PARLANCA) discloses a sampling device having a spiked portion, with barb-like teeth extending from it, which is penetrated into the carcass and on removal samples of the meat are secured on the teeth for later analysis. JP2004361376 (TANAKA) discloses a device having round barrel with a sharpened edge to be inserted into the meat surface and subsequently withdrawn together with a sample of the meat to be stored in the barrel and sealed with a detachable lid.

Such devices are not suitable where damage to the meat surface is to be avoided, which may be important in certain circumstances, e.g. with a high quality cut of meat. They are also sensitive to the orientation at which they are used to obtain the sample, i.e. the user must ensure that the device is presented at a particular angle and rotational orientation to the meat surface. If the device is not used correctly a satisfactory sample may not be obtained or the user may inadvertently contaminate the sample, either by contacting it or by dropping the device. The speed of the sampling process is essential in the environments of a high speed kill line abattoir or high speed meat packaging plant. An inefficient sampling process could slow down the production line leading to production inefficiencies and ultimately added cost. In general the sampling process must take less than 15 seconds, generally less than 10 seconds, to achieve in order to ensure that the person sampling the meat is able to keep up with the rate that carcasses in an abattoir pass. Thus it will be understood that the simplicity, efficiency and robustness of the sampling system is of the utmost importance.

Although not generally in practice at present, automated sampling may become an increasingly important feature of meat sampling technology. Such sampling will require a sampling device that is simple and convenient enough to allow ready automation. This is not the case with prior art sampling devices.

According to the present invention there is provided a sampling device comprising a handle portion and a sampling portion, the sampling portion having at least one sampling member extending outwardly from said sampling portion, the at least one sampling member having at least one scraping edge, the at least one scraping edge being configured such that, when in use, a portion of the scraping edge is presented to a meat surface irrespective of the rotation of the sampling portion relative to the meat surface.

The advantage of such a device is that it is 'omni-directional' allowing a sample of meat to be effectively obtained from the meat source no matter how the user holds the device. This is of great benefit to the efficiency of the process, meaning that the user need not adjust his grip on the device once he has grasped it. This speeds up the process and reduces the likelihood of the device being dropped or the user contaminating the device by touching the sampling portion. In addition, where automated sampling is to be used, the automated sampler would not have to make an adjustment for the orientation of the device. Additionally, the advantage of being 'omni-directional' allows a standard laboratory robot, for example, to pick up the device in any rotation where automated sampling is to be used. By rotation of the sampling portion, it is generally meant rotation about the longitudinal axis of the sampling portion.

By the term scraping edge, it is meant as edge which is capable of removing a sample of meat from the surface of a meat source. The edge need not be a knife edge, though this may be suitable in some embodiments. A square edge may be entirely suitable in other embodiments, and edges of various levels of sharpness in between these extremes may also be suitable depending on the meat surface to be sampled. Generally an edge having between 10 ° to 90 °, more preferably 20 ° to 70 °, especially 30 ° to 60 ° is used.

Generally the handle portion and the sampling portion are integral, though in some embodiments they may be separable, e.g. to facilitate integration into automated analysis machinery.

The meat source may be, for example, a carcass which may be fresh or frozen or a cut of meat obtained from a carcass. As such, the device is particularly suited for use in an abattoir or meat packaging plant. The device of the present invention is suitable for obtaining a sample from essentially any species of meat. Mention may be made of beef, lamb/mutton and pork, these generally making up the bulk of meat production, but the device is, of course, equally suited to other species such as venison, chicken, turkey, goat, horse etc.

Suitably the at least one scraping edge extends around the sampling portion such that there is no rotational gap in the scraping edge of greater than 120 degrees, preferably no gap greater than 90 degrees. The gap referred to is in the rotational plane of the sampling portion as described above. This ensures that the at least one scraping edge will be in contact with the meat surface irrespective of the rotation of the sampling device.

In general, it is preferred that the scraping edge extends substantially around the sampling portion. Thus the at least one scraping edge defines at least a 360 degree rotation about the sampling portion. This 360 degree rotation can be continuous (e.g. a circular or helical edge) or non- continuous, i.e. the at least one scraping edge may be a number of edges which in combination define a scraping edge extending around the cutting member.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one sampling member defines a generally circular continuous scraping edge.

In an alternative embodiment the at least one scraping edge is a plurality of scraping edges which are positioned and arranged such that there is no rotational gap of greater than 120 degrees (preferably 90 degrees) between the said scraping edges. Suitably at least two, preferably all, of the scraping edges are co-planar, i.e. a star-like arrangement, but may alternatively be longitudinally spaced along the sampling portion.

Preferably, the sampling device comprising two or more arrays of the at least one sampling member. This allows two or more samples to be obtained simultaneously from the meat surface. This allows a number of different analyses to be performed on the different samples and also provides back up samples in case one is insufficient or lost through error. This saves time, particularly important in a high speed environment such as a high speed kill line abattoir or high speed meat packing plant. In a preferred embodiment the sampling device comprises at least two generally circular sampling members spaced along the sampling member. It may be preferred that the diameter of the sampling members generally taper such that those proximal to the handle have a larger diameter than those distal to the handle. This aids taking of samples when the device is held at a natural angle to the meat source. Preferably, the diameter of the larger sampling members is such that the sampling portion may be inserted into a suitable test tube, a 96 well plate, or other similar laboratory analysis vessels, by a laboratory technician or standard laboratory robot. Typically a diameter 10 mm or less is desirable, preferably 8 mm or less, and in some cases 6 mm or less, though various sizes will of course fit into different laboratory analysis vessels and it will be obvious that the size of the sampling portion may be varied accordingly. As 96 well plates are extensively used in laboratory analysis, it is generally preferred that the sampling portion is adapted to fit such plates, particularly deep-well 96 well plates.

Preferably the at least one sampling member comprises a scraping face which faces towards the handle portion, the distal edge of said face defining the at least one scraping edge. The obtained sample is deposited on to the scraping face after being scraped from the meat surface via the at least one scraping edge.

Advantageously, the scraping face is angled such that the angle of the face relative to the scraping portion is 90 degrees or less. This arrangement means that the at least one scraping edge is effective in scraping a sample from a meat surface as the sampling member acts as in manner akin to a barb. It would be routine to the person skilled in the art to optimise the angle of the face for a particular application. Generally, it is preferred that the scraping face is substantially 90 degrees to the relative to the scraping portion. This allows a reasonable, but not excessive amount of meat to be taken as a sample, and also avoids the device catching on the meat source.

In an alternative embodiment the scraping face may be angled away from the handle portion, i.e. an angle of greater than 90 degrees. This would result in the scraping edge being less effective in scraping a sample from the meat surface. However, this arrangement could be well suited when the meat surface is delicate or when minimum damage to the meat surface is paramount, and a large sample is not required.

It may also be desirable to restrict the size of the scraping face to adjust the amount of meat which is take in a sample. If too much meat is taken it could create problems with downstream analysis of the sample. This would be a particular problem in automated sample processing.

Accordingly, the use of a scraping face, as provided in the present invention, provides a means to optimize the sample amount for later analysis by varying the size of the scraping face.

The scraping face is preferably arranged in the device such that it is easy to access to remove the sample of meat in a laboratory or the like. Access to the scraping face should preferably not be obstructed by features of the device, so that a technician, for example, can remove a portion of the sample of meat with a spatula or the like. The scraping face is desirably arranged such that the sample can be easily removed in automated sample processing, e.g. simply through immersion in a liquid medium, optionally combined with agitation. Such an arrangement is conveniently achieved when the scraping surface is provided at an angle of around 90 degrees to the sampling portion and continues smoothly to the scraping edge without a lip or other such obstruction which could inhibit removal of the sample.

The sampling device may conveniently comprise a cap detachably mountable over said sampling portion. Such a cap ensures that the sample portion is kept clean (optionally sterile) prior to taking the sample and that the obtained sample is contained and safe from contamination, and equally, does not leak out during or after storage. Preferably, the cap is securable via corresponding connection means on the cap and the sampling device, e.g. a snap-fit arrangement. The cap advantageously may comprise a gripping means for aiding removal and replacement of the cap from the sampling device. Suitably the gripping means comprises a textured or recessed portion on the cap. In one embodiment, the gripping means may comprise two opposing scalloped portions near the closed end of the cap forming concave regions for a thumb and forefinger of a user to be placed on either side of the cap; such an arrangement provides a wider portion at the closed distal end of the cap for the thumb and forefinger to abut against to aid the removal of the cap from the sampling device.

Preferably, the sampling device also comprises identification means for identifying the device. This is advantageous where it is important to keep a track of the particular sample and correlate it to the particular meat source. The identification means may comprise an electronically identifiable tag, for example a barcode or radio frequency identification

(RFID) tag, though other suitable tags or identifiers will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art. The identification means may be provided on any part of the device, though most conveniently on the handle or cap. The advantage of providing the identification means on the handle is that it will never become separated from the sample. Where the identification means is provided on the cap it is easier to scan the device without releasing the grip on the handle, though there is of course the limited risk of the cap being dissociated from the rest of the device. On balance, given the paramount importance of streamlining the sampling process, it is generally preferred that the identification means is provided on the cap. It is advantageous that the identification means can be read from any angle. Where a barcode is used, it may be suitably be provided as a plurality of repeating individual barcodes extending substantially around the device to allow it to be readable from any angle by a suitable means such as a barcode scanner.

Advantageously, the handle portion of the sampling device comprises a gripping means which extends substantially around the handle portion. This may be a depression extending substantially around the handle portion to receive a thumb of a user to ensure that, when in use, the hand of a user does not slip forward of the handle portion and potentially contaminate the obtained sample or the meat surface, or equally to ensure the user does not release the sampling device by accident. The handle portion may be suitably sized and shaped or comprise specific interface means for interfacing with the arm of a standard laboratory robot to facilitate automated sample analysis. In particular, the end of handle may be provided with a depression or projection which is shaped and sized to interact with a corresponding feature of a laboratory robot. Preferably the interface means is adapted such that the robot can interface with the device irrespective of the rotation of the device.

Preferably the handle portion and sampling portion share a common axis, i.e. they all lie generally in a line. Alternatively, the handle portion could be cranked relative to the sampling portion, though this is not generally preferred as it will not be so easy to use the device at any angle. In a further aspect the present invention provides a system for obtaining samples from a plurality of sources of meat, the system comprising a plurality of sampling devices as described above, a recording means for recording the identity of individual sampling devices and a correlation means for correlating the device identity and sample with its meat source. In such a system it will be apparent that the meat source will also have some identifying means to allow the correlation of source and sample to be achieved.

Suitably the system comprises a dispensing means for dispensing sampling devices, which is conveniently gravity fed and dispenses one device at a time. The system may comprise a storing means for storing a sampling device after a sample has been obtained from the meat source.

The recording means may conveniently be a bar code scanner or RFID scanner to scan a corresponding identifying means provided on the sampling device (and optionally identification means provided on the meat source).

The correlating means is suitably a computer which correlates the identity of the sampling device and sample with the meat source from which the sample was obtained. The correlating means may be provided with additional information about the meat source such as the origin and processing details. The correlating means may also correlate information obtained through subsequent analysis of the meat sample, for example genetic information regarding the meat.

Such a system is particularly suited to use in a high throughput abattoir or meat packaging plant. In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of obtaining a sample using a sampling device as described above, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the at least one scraping edge of the at least one sampling member with the surface of a meat source, and

(b) scraping the at least one scraping edge across an area of the surface of the meat source from which the sample is required.

The scraping of the meat source is significant in that it allows a sample to be taken i) in an ergonomically sound fashion reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury, and ii) without significant damage to the meat source. Additionally, it allows a sample to be taken from a frozen or otherwise solid meat source which it would be difficult to stab with a conventional sampling device.

The scraping of step (b) is preferably in the direction towards the handle of the sampling device. This results in a more natural sampling technique as it is more convenient to draw the device over the sample than push it over the sample.

The method may suitably comprise the step of:

(c) correlating the sampling device and associated sample with the meat source.

As mentioned previously this correlation is useful to tie the result of the analysis to the source of meat. This is not so significant where a generalised sampling technique is required which is not intended to be used to correlate particular results with particular meat sources, e.g. in generalised screening for pathogens. However, this correlation may be extremely useful in generating databases of identifying features (e.g. DNA fingerprints) of individual carcasses for use in later tracing or source verification procedures as described earlier.

The correlation of step (c) may be achieved by scanning an electronically identifiable tag with a scanner and correlating this with the meat source.

The correlation with the meat source may involve scanning a tag associated with the meat source.

The method may further comprise removing a cap provided on the device prior to scraping the meat and replacing the cap after the sample has been taken.

In a further aspect the present invention provides the use of a device as described above for obtaining a sample of meat from a meat source.

In a further aspect the present invention provides the use of a system as described above in an abattoir or meat processing or packaging plant.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a sampling device in accordance to the present invention. Fig.2 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a sampling device of the present invention, including a cap.

Fig.3 is a plan view of a sampling device including a cap.

Fig.4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a sampling device of the present invention. Fig.5 is a flowchart illustrating an alternative method of using a sampling device of the present invention.

A sampling device (1 ) (shown in Figs.1 to 3) for obtaining a sample of meat from a meat source comprises a handle portion (2) and a sampling portion (3) extending longitudinally from the end of the handle portion (2). The handle portion (2) is generally cylindrical in shape and is sized to fit the hand of a user.

The sampling portion (3) is an elongate extension projecting from the handle portion (2). It is generally cruciform in cross-section, the arms of the cross being formed by four strengthening ribs (7) running the length of the sampling portion (3), each extending from the axis of the sampling portion.

The sampling portion has three equally spaced, disc-shaped sampling members (4) which extend outwardly from the sampling portion (2). The sampling members (4) are provided in a group at the distal end of the sampling portion (3). There could of course be fewer or more sampling members (4) depending on the requirements of the sampling device (1 ). The distal sampling member (5) is of smaller diameter relative to the other two sampling members (4). The sampling members extend outwardly from the sampling portion (3) and each define a circular scraping edge (6). The sampling members (4) each comprise a scraping face which faces towards the handle portion (2) and extends perpendicular to the axis of the sampling portion. The distal edge of the scraping face defines the scraping edge (6).

The handle portion (2) comprises a securing means for a cap (8) which is shaped and sized to fit over the sampling portion (3) which serves to cover the sample and avoid contamination. The securing means is a 'snap-fit' arrangement comprising an annular recess (9) in the handle portion (2) and corresponding annular rib (10) on the inside wall of the cap (8) to 'snap' into said recess (9) when the cap (8) is placed over the sampling portion (3). This 'snap-fit' arrangement further provides a sealing means for containing a fluid, e.g. blood, from the sample to prevent it leaking from the device (1 ).

The cap comprises a grip (12) to facilitate its removal and replacement over the sampling portion (3). The grip (12) comprising two opposing scalloped portions near the closed end of the cap forming concave regions for a thumb and forefinger of a user to be placed on either side of the cap; such an arrangement provides a wider portion at the closed distal end of the cap for the thumb and forefinger to abut against to aid the removal of the cap from the sampling device. The cap comprises a barcode (not shown) affixed around the cap to allow it to be identified and scanned from all angles by a barcode scanner, irrespective of the rotation of the sampling device (1 ). Three identical bar codes are provided, spaced 120 degrees apart around the circumference of the cap thus allowing scanning from essentially any angle. Alternatively, the sampling device (1 ) may comprise a RFID tag or other labelling or tagging means to allow it to be identified.

The handle portion (2) further comprises a depression (1 1 ) extending around the handle portion (2) to provide a gripping means to ensure the hand of a user does not slip forward and contaminate the secured sample or meat surface from which it is being obtained or slip off in the other direction causing the user to drop the device. A circular recess is provided at the end of the handle portion (2). The depression at the end of the handle portion (2) forms a circular depressed area which is surrounded by a ridge. This arrangement provides interface means suitable for a robotic device to interact with the sampling device (1 ) to pick it up and manipulate it for laboratory analysis. It is useful that the depression is circular so that a robotic device can engage with the depression regardless of the rotation of the device. Of course, there are many other such arrangements which could be used to facilitate interaction with a laboratory robot, e.g. a boss or other projection from the handle.

The sampling device (1 ) may be conveniently manufactured from a plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene or any suitable material which is food safe and break or shatterproof. It is advantageous if it is blue in colour to aid location if it is dropped.

When a sample is required from a meat surface, the sampling device (1 ) is held by a user at the handle portion (2), in any rotation, preferably with the thumb of a user placed in the depression (1 1 ) on the handle portion (2), with the sampling portion (3) being directed away from the user. The device (1 ) can conveniently be taken from a dispenser adapted to dispense devices one by one as required. The cap (8) is then removed by pulling the cap (8) from the device via the gripping means on the cap (8). At least one cutting member (4) is held in contact with the meat surface and the scraping edge scraped across the surface, preferably in a direction towards the handle portion. The perpendicular arrangement of the sampling members (4) relative to the axis of the sampling portion causes a scraping effect between the scraping edge (6) and the meat surface and results in a portion of the meat surface coming away from the carcass and becoming deposited on the scraping face of the sampling member (4). This scraping effect is generally more effective if the scraping face is angled towards the handle portion (2) as the edge will tend to dig into the meat surface, and less so if the scraping face was angled away from the handle portion (2) as the edge will tend to glide over the surface. Where the face is approximately perpendicular a good compromise is attained. A more gliding arrangement may be beneficial when a sample is required from a particularly soft meat surface or where it is important that damage to the meat surface is avoided.

The cap (8) is then replaced on the device (1 ). The device (1 ) with sample can then be deposited in a convenient receptacle for storage before later analysis.

At some point in the process the device (1 ) is recorded via recording means which is able to read the identification means provided on the device, e.g. a barcode reader and a barcode on the device (1 ). The device (1 ) with its sample is correlated with the meat source, e.g. carcass, from which the sample has been taken. This correlation is achieved using a correlation means which is typically a computer which receives and stores details of the meat source, which may be obtained via identification means provided on the meat source, and details of the device (1 ), and then associates the two. This allows information derived from later analysis (e.g. DNA analysis) of the sample to be traced back to the particular meat source sampled.

As mentioned above, the number of sampling members (4) is not limited to three and, depending on the number chosen, a plurality of samples may be obtained from a single meat surface in a single sampling action. This eradicates the need for repeat sampling if a particular sample proves insufficient for analysis or is inadvertently lost or destroyed. The sampling device (1 ) as described may be used within a system comprising a reading means for reading the identification means, a recording means for recording the identity of the sampling device (1 ) and a correlating means for correlating the identity of the device (1 ) with a meat source from which a sample was obtained. The type of reading means will, of course depend on the identification means used, but may be a barcode scanner, a RFID reader or the user may read a labelling means and directly input the reading into the correlation means, e.g. via a keypad. In general a simple and rapid system such as a barcode or RFID system is preferred.

A method of using the device is illustrated in Fig. 4. A sampling device (1 ) is removed from a gravity dispenser and a barcode, located around the cap of the sampling device, is scanned by the reading means. The cap (8) is then removed and a sample is obtained from the desired meat surface. The cap (8) is replaced to cover and contain the sample and the sampling device is placed in a sample storage container for later analysis.

An alternative method is illustrated in Fig. 5 in which the scanning step occurs after the sample has been obtained and the cap replaced.

A computer system may be used to record and store the identity of the sampling device and link the obtained sample with the meat source, when required. In particular a computer may be used to build up a database of identifying or characterising data, e.g. the results of genetic or other tests, which is linked to the particular meat source.

Claims

1 . A sampling device (1 ) comprising a handle portion (2) and a sampling portion (3), the sampling portion (3) having at least one sampling member (4) extending outwardly from said sampling portion

(3), the at least one sampling member (4) having at least one scraping edge (6), the at least one scraping edge (6) being configured such that, when in use, a portion of the scraping edge (6) is presented to a meat surface irrespective of the rotation of the sampling device (1 ) relative to the meat surface.

2. A sampling device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one scraping edge (6) extends around the sampling portion (3), such that there is no rotational gap in the scraping edge (6) of greater than 120 degrees.

3. A sampling device according to claim 2, wherein there is no gap of greater than 90 degrees.

4. A sampling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one scraping edge (6) extends substantially around the sampling portion (3).

5. A sampling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one sampling member (4) defines a generally circular continuous scraping edge (6).

6. A sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a plurality of sampling members (4) defining a plurality of scraping edges (6), the scraping edges (6) being configured and arranged such that there is no rotational gap of greater than 120 degrees between the said scraping edges (6).

7. A sampling device according to claim 6, wherein there is no gap of greater than 90 degrees.

8. A sampling device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least two of the scraping edges (6) are co-planar.

9. A sampling device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein at least two of the scraping edges (6) are spaced along the sampling portion (3).

10. A sampling device according to any preceding claim comprising two or more arrays of the at least one sampling member (4).

1 1 . A sampling device according to claim 10 comprising at least two generally circular sampling members (4) spaced along the sampling portion (3).

12. A sampling device according to claim 1 1 , wherein the diameter of the sampling members (4) generally taper such that those proximal to the handle portion (2) have a larger diameter than those distal to the handle portion (2).

13. A sampling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one sampling member (4) comprises a scraping face facing towards the handle portion (2), the distal end of said face defining the at least one scraping edge (6).

14. A sampling device according to claim 13, wherein the scraping face is angled such that the angle of the face relative to the sampling portion (3) is 90 degrees or less.

15. A sampling device according to claim 14, wherein the scraping face is angled such that the angle of the face relative to the sampling portion (3) is greater than 90 degrees.

16. A sampling device according to any preceding claim comprising a cap (8) detachably mountable over said sampling portion (3).

17. A sampling device according to claim 16, wherein the cap (8) is securable via corresponding connection means (9, 10) on the cap (8) and the sampling device (1 ).

18. A sampling device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the cap (8) comprises gripping means (12).

19. A sampling device according to any preceding claim comprising identification means for identifying the device (1 ).

20. A sampling device according to claim 19, wherein the identification means comprises an electronically identifiable tag.

21 . A sampling device according to claim 20, wherein the electronically identifiable tag is a barcode or RFID.

22. A sampling device according to claim 21 , wherein the barcode is provided substantially around the cap (8).

23. A sampling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion (2) comprises a gripping means.

24. A sampling device according to claim 23, wherein the gripping means comprises a depression (1 1 ) extending substantially around the handle portion (2) which is suitable to engage with a thumb of a user.

25. A sampling device according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle portion (2) and sampling portion (3) are generally aligned along a common axis.

26. A system for obtaining samples from a plurality of sources of meat, wherein the system comprises:

- a plurality of sampling devices (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25;

- a recording means for recording the identity of an individual sampling device (1 ); and

- a correlation means for correlating the sampling device (1 ) identity and sample with its meat source.

27. A system according to Claim 26 comprising a dispensing means for dispensing sampling devices (1 ).

28. A system according to claims 26 or 27 comprising a storing means for storing sampling devices (1 ) after a sample has been obtained from the meat source.

29. A system according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the recording means is a bar code scanner or RFID scanner to scan a corresponding identifying means provided on the sampling device (1 )-

30. A system according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the correlating means is a computer which correlates the identity of the sampling device (1 ) and sample with the meat source from which the sample was obtained.

31 . A method of obtaining a sample using a sampling device (1 ) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 25, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) contacting the at least one scraping edge (6) of the at least one sampling member (4) with the surface of a meat source,

(b) scraping the at least one scraping edge (6) across an area of the surface of the meat source from which the sample is required.

32. A method according to claim 31 , wherein the scraping of step (b) is in the direction towards the handle portion (2) of the sampling device (1 ).

33. A method according to claim 31 or 32 comprising the step of:

(c) correlating the sampling device (1 ) and associated sample with the meat source.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the correlation of step (c) is achieved by scanning an electronically identifiable tag with a scanner and correlating this with the meat source.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the correlation with the meat source involves scanning a tag associated with the meat source.

36. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 34 comprising removing a cap provided on the device prior to scraping the meat and replacing the cap after the sample has been taken.

37. Use of a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 for obtaining a sample of meat from a meat source.

38. Use of a system according to any one of claims 26 to 30 in an abattoir or meat packaging plant.