GMO Detection from Genon Laboratories Ltd

GMO Detection

► LATEST NEWS October 2011 : New rules on GM honey - test your honey at low cost with Genon Laboratories

Genetically modified food is constantly entering the food chain due to an increase worldwide in the cultivation of GM crops. These crops, including varieties of maize, soya and rape seed, have been genetically altered by the insertion of ‘foreign’ genes to give some form of benefit, such as pesticide resistance.

Under EU legislation any food that contains, consists of, or contains ingredients produced from these genetically modified organisms (GMOs), must be labelled as such.

It is also a requirement of the Soil Association that companies promoting their products as 'organic' should not include any genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For organic producers, our test and the UKAS accredited certificate you will receive provides the evidence needed to reassure the Soil Association of your GMO status.

Service from Genon Laboratories Limited

We use a DNA based technique, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to determine the presence or absence of specific genes found in GMOs such as Roundup Ready Soya. This is a qualitative test with a detection limit of 0.1%. In 2009 we invested in real-time PCR and have been validating some tests to enable us to offer quantitative GMO testing services. We can now offer a small range of quantitative services which are used once the qualitative screens have helped us to identify the specific GMO present. Please email or call for advice and a quotation.

Our testing services range from GMO screens that detect CaMV35S promoters, NOS terminators, CP4epsps, nptII and the BAR gene to specific tests that will identify for example Roundup Ready, Bt-176, H7-1, etc. We provide a free consultancy service whereby we can advise on the test most suitable for you depending on your product, origin, previous test results, expectations of GM status, etc - please call or email for details.

The services covered by our UKAS accreditation include the detection of: CaMV35S promoter; NOS terminator; BT-176 Maize; Roundup Ready Soya. We are currently validating to include CP4epsps to this range in addition to some quantitative GM services.

We have developed our own system of monitoring GMOs, understanding common traits to detect as many GMOs in a single test and devised a set of screens and pricing structure which enables us to test for all known GMOs for most crops. Simply tell us the nature of the sample and we will advise which test is most applicable.

Our low cost qualitative screens are recommended as a first step for GMO testing in any biotech crop (or material derived thereof). The 35s promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) and the NOS terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens are widely used, well-characterized elements, which direct the expression of the biotechnology genes they reside in. Screen tests are tailored to the crop type plus we have a generic screen (CAMV35s and NOS) which combined enable us to test corn, feed pellets, soybeans, corn starch, maltodextrin, seasonings, beverages and all finished food.

PCR is widely accepted as the most efficient way to screen for GMOs. A ‘not detected’ result confirms absence of these genetic elements (to a limit of detection of 0.1%) whilst a ‘detected’ result would warrant further analysis to identify and if necessary quantify the specific GMO.
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Legislation

Since April 2004 the GM Food and Feed Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 has been in place This legislation lays down rules to cover all GM food and animal feed, regardless of the presence of any GM material in the final product. This means products such as flour, oils and glucose syrups will have to be labelled as GM if they are from a GM source. Products produced with GM technology (cheese produced with GM enzymes, for example) will not have to be labelled. Products such as meat, milk and eggs from animals fed on GM animal feed will also not need to be labelled.

Deliberate use of GM ingredients at any level must be labelled. However there is no need for small amounts of GM ingredients (below 0.9%) that are accidentally (adventious or technically unavoidable are the terms used) present in a food to be labelled. Unauthorised GMOs are not permitted at any level.

Guidance notes on national regulations, Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on Genetically Modified (GM) Food and Feed (the 'Food and Feed Regulation'), and those on traceability and labeling, (EC) 1830/2003 on the Traceability and Labelling of GMOs (the 'Traceability and Labelling Regulation'), which will apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be found at http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/gmguidance.pdf. These EU regulations require labelling limits to refer to the GM content of each individual ingredient of a product, not the product as a whole.
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