Food Monitoring: Fewer and Fewer Traces of Genetic Engineering
Jan 3, 2018 - Analytics
Food Monitoring: Fewer and Fewer Traces of Genetic Engineering
Fewer and fewer foods are contaminated with traces of genetically modified ingredients. In 2016, only about 14 percent of soy-containing and two percent of corn-containing products were affected. According to an initial evaluation by the professional portal Transgen, there were no violations of labeling regulations.
Foods must be labeled if the admixtures of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exceed the threshold of 0.9 percent – based on the respective ingredient. For smaller traces of genetically modified plants that are accidental and technically unavoidable, no notice is required on the label. However, this applies only to plants approved in the EU.
Each year, over 3,000 food samples are tested for components of genetically modified plants as part of the states' food monitoring. The focus is on soy and corn-containing products, as the use of genetically modified organisms is most likely within these product groups. So far, data from ten countries are available for the year 2016.
Compared to the previous year, significantly fewer soy products tested positive for genetically modified soybeans (13.5% versus 19%). Generally, these were very small traces below the detection limit of 0.1 percent. Organic soy-based products were also tested for genetically modified plants. In one in ten foods, small GMO traces were detectable – significantly less than the previous year (24%).
For corn products, the GMO share was just over two percent, similar to 2015, and the detections were always in the trace range of under 0.1 percent. Rice, linseed, rapeseed, tomato, potato, sugar beet, zucchini, pepper, and salmon were "GMO-free".
In our Tentamus laboratories, we routinely conduct these investigations. We provide you with fast and reliable results. Our customer service representatives are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Source: bilacon Newsletter December 2017; food monitor Newsletter, December 11, 2017