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This initial proof of concept study is designed to demonstrate the potential of Quantitation Using Informative Zeros (QUIZ) as a high-throughput methodology to measure Genetically Modified (GM) presence in food.
<p>This experiment has been designed to demonstrate the utility of Quantitation Using Informative Zeros (QUIZ) for measuring GM content of food related products.
<p>This project is the development of a high throughput method for robust and sensitive quantitation of relative amounts of Genetically modified organisms (GMO) to non-GMO DNA in a food sample.
<p>A set of defined material will be made by mixing two certified reference materials containing GM RoundUp Ready (TM) soya (0 and 5%). Samples will be produced to contain approximately 0, 0.5, 1, 3 and 5% based on the declared GMO content.
<p>DNA will be extracted from the samples; then the purified DNA will be quantified and appropriate dilutions used to QUIZ the GMO content of each sample. QUIZ must demonstrate a linear relationship between the estimated GMO content and the proportion of 5% RoundUp Ready(TM) soya in the samples.
The Food Standards Agency is the competent authority for the Genetically Modified (GM) Food and Feed Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 which lays down labelling requirements; any food or feed product containing a GM ingredient must declare this on the label.
<p>A threshold of 0.9% is in place for the adventitious and technically unavoidable presence of GM material below which labelling is not required. Unauthorised GM food or feed is not permitted at any level.
<p>To determine whether the labelling regulations are working in practice it is necessary for GM DNA detection methods in foods to be available using robust methodologies.
<p>This study seeks to demonstrate the potential of a new approach to DNA detection of GM material in food. Ultimately this may provide a method that is more accessible to Public Analysts for enforcement work.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.