Abstract
The present study was carried out to ascertain the genetic status of soybean and maize crops introduced in Algeria and to test local and imported products containing maize and soybean for the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMO into the food and feed chain). Samples from crops and processed food products were selected, randomly sampled and screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter (P35S CaMV) and the Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase (nos) terminator, commonly found in transgene cassettes. Results showed that GMOs were absent in all crop samples, but present in 29 food and feed samples. These analyses are discussed for the efficiency of the Algerian regulation and the absence of labelling and traceability mechanisms within the country. Key words: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), detection, maize, soybean, seeds, food and feed products.
Highlights
In Algeria, the discussion around genetically modified organisms (GMO) regulation and other related issues appeared with the adoption of the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety, the country had only little experience in modern biotechnology and biosafety regulation (Louanchi, 2009)
The present studies reveal that GMOs are not present in seeds in Algeria
Our results showed that several food products which contained GMOs are mostly imported from Argentina, Thailand and China and this situation raises the problem of labelling and traceability (Miraglia et al, 2004)
Summary
In Algeria, the discussion around genetically modified organisms (GMO) regulation and other related issues appeared with the adoption of the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety, the country had only little experience in modern biotechnology and biosafety regulation (Louanchi, 2009). Most basic food and feed, such as cereals (wheat, maize) and oil-yielding plants (canola, soy) are imported as unprocessed or transformed products. Introduction of the first hybrids in the 1990s failed increasing yields and provoked a genetic erosion of landraces and during the last decade, the agricultural sector showed an important development mainly based on massive importation of agricultural inputs like seeds. Product Food grain Canned Flour Pop corn Ear. Origins USA, Argentina and unknown Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, Thailand, Syria, China and unknown Algeria, Tunisia Argentina.
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