Survey of compliance with labeling legislation in food containing GMOs in Brazil

Abstract

Analysis of food products consisting of, or produced from, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is required to verify compliance with labeling legislation and to detect any possible unauthorized transgenic crops. With these goals, 240 samples of soy-derived foodstuffs and 25 samples of maize-derived foodstuffs were analyzed from 2004 to 2007. All samples positive for Roundup Ready ® soybean were quantitatively examined using the TaqMan ® GMO 35S Soy kit. In food containing soy, 68 (28.3%) were shown to contain GM soy, whereas in food containing maize, neither Bt 176 nor MON 810 maize were found. Quantitative analysis revealed GMO contents ranging from 0.05 to 1% in 43 (63.2%) samples, and more than 1% in 25 (36.8%) samples. The absolute and relative limits of detection (LODs) were approximately 10 copies and 0.0125%, respectively, and the absolute and relative limits of quantification (LOQs) were approximately 40 copies and 0.05%, respectively, suggesting sufficient sensitivity to quantify genetically modified (GM) materials below and above the legal threshold of 1%. The presence of GM material in these samples was not indicated on their labels, indicating that none of these food products had been appropriately labeled. These results clearly demonstrate the need for a monitoring program of food products by the Brazilian regulatory authorities.