GMO | EUROLAB

What Is GMO?

GMO analysis is the determination of whether there is a genetically modified organism in the product and, if so, its rate, using PCR-based methods. First, common genetic elements (such as 35S promoter, NOS terminator) are screened; In positive results, event-specific identification and quantification are performed with real-time PCR.

Purpose of GMO

The aim is to demonstrate compliance with the permitting and labeling obligations under (EC) 1829/2003 and (EC) 1830/2003. It is also used to verify 'non-GMO' claims.

Which Products Is GMO Applied To?

Soy, corn and derivatives
Canola and cottonseed products
Feed and feed raw materials
Starch and vegetable protein products
processed foods

In Which Sectors Is GMO Used?

FoodAgricultureRetailAgricultureBiotechnology

Standards Related to GMO

TS EN ISO 21569 (qualitative nucleic acid-based methods)
TS EN ISO 21570 (quantitative nucleic acid based methods)
TS EN ISO 21571 (nucleic acid extraction)
TS EN ISO 24276 (general conditions and definitions)

GMO Conditions

Screening: Screening of common genetic elements by PCR
Identification: Determining which GMO is positive with event-based PCR
Miktar: Determination of percentage by mass with real-time PCR
DNA kalitesi: DNA may be fragmented in processed products; extraction critical

Equipment for GMO

Real-time PCR system
DNA extraction and purification setups
Spectrophotometer / fluorescence DNA measurement system
Separate laboratory areas to prevent contamination

Sample Requirements for GMO

Partiyi temsil eden numune
Enough; processed products may require more samples
Product type and degree of processing must be declared
The sample must be protected from cross-contamination

Duration of GMO

DNA extraction, screening and, if necessary, event-based identification and quantification together take several working days. For positive results, verification takes longer.

GMO Procedure

1The sample is homogenized.
2DNA is extracted and its quality is evaluated.
3Species specific reference gene control is performed.
4Screening PCR is applied for common genetic elements.
5In case of positive results, event-based identification is made.
6The ratio by mass is calculated with real-time PCR.

GMO Acceptance Criteria

(EC) 1829/2003 and (EC) 1830/2003 impose labeling obligations on authorized GMOs if they are found above a certain threshold; Defined thresholds apply for technically unavoidable or incidental contamination. The presence of an unauthorized GMO is non-compliance regardless of the level. Thresholds are confirmed from applicable legislation.

Evaluation of Results

Because DNA is fragmented in processed products, a negative result may not necessarily prove that they do not contain GMOs; Products such as refined oil and syrup may not contain analyzable DNA. In this case, the document chain and supplier declarations are decisive.

GMO Report

Sample description and product type
DNA extraction and quality control results
Taranan genetik elemanlar
Detected GMO events
Mass ratio results and detection limit
Comparing legislation threshold

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

Genetically Modified Food and Feed Regulation (EC) 1829/2003
Traceability and Labeling Regulation (EC) 1830/2003

Food Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the GMO test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Food testing shows that a product is safe for consumption and contains what its label states. The family works along three axes: microbiological safety, chemical safety and nutritional composition. All three require different laboratory infrastructure, a different body of methods and a different turnaround time.

The most distinctive feature of the field is TIME PRESSURE. A steel specimen can wait on a shelf; a raw milk or fresh meat sample cannot. The time the sample was taken, the transport temperature and how long it takes to reach the laboratory directly determine the validity of the result. In food microbiology the cold chain record is therefore an inseparable part of the test report.

On the microbiological side there are two different questions and they must not be confused. DETECTION of a pathogen is a qualitative question: is Salmonella present in the sample or not? ENUMERATION of indicator organisms is a quantitative question and an indicator of production hygiene. The absence of a pathogen in a product does not show that hygiene is good; if the total mesophilic aerobic count is high, there is a problem in the process.

On the chemical side, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, heavy metals, additives, veterinary drug residues and process contaminants (acrylamide, furan, PAH) are measured. Multi-residue methods in this area (QuEChERS-based LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS) can screen hundreds of active substances in a single analysis; limits are defined separately for each product–substance pair.

On the composition side, protein, fat, moisture, ash, fibre, sugar profile, fatty acid composition, vitamin and mineral content are determined. These values are the basis of the nutrition declaration on the label and the tolerance ranges are defined in legislation — the difference between the declared value and the measured value must stay within that tolerance.

There is NO CE marking on food, and this shapes how the field works. Conformity is demonstrated through operating a HACCP-based food safety system, complying with labelling rules and not exceeding contaminant, residue and microbiological limits. A test result produces evidence not for a certificate but for a functioning system.

Allergen management carries particular weight. The presence of an undeclared allergen in a product is one of the most frequent causes of food recalls. Analysis here runs together with cleaning validation: it is shown that the line has been cleaned adequately after a production run containing an allergen and that the risk of cross-contamination is under control.

Voluntary schemes have become effectively mandatory in this field. Retail chains require their suppliers to hold a certificate under a GFSI-recognised scheme (BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000); without it, getting onto the shelf is practically impossible.

Method groups in this field

Pathogen detection
Detection of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Cronobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli; culture-based and molecular methods.
Indicator counts
Total mesophilic aerobic count, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and E. coli, coagulase-positive staphylococci, yeasts and moulds, lactic acid bacteria, sulphite-reducing Clostridia.
Pesticide and veterinary residues
Multi-residue screening by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS with QuEChERS extraction.
Mycotoxins and contaminants
Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, patulin; heavy metals (ICP-MS), acrylamide and PAH compounds.
Nutritional composition
Kjeldahl protein, fat and fatty acid profile, moisture, ash, dietary fibre, sugar profile, vitamin and mineral analyses.
Allergens and authenticity
Gluten, milk, egg, nut and soy allergen analyses; molecular methods for species identification and adulteration detection.

Commonly confused in this field

Sampling is half the result. A sample transported at the wrong temperature or delayed gives an invalid result even if it is analysed correctly in the laboratory.
The absence of a pathogen does not show that hygiene is good; indicator counts give separate information and the two are read together.
A result from a sample taken from a lot can be generalised to the whole lot only if the sampling plan was set up statistically.
Limits are defined in separate regulations by product group and are updated regularly; a conformity decision based on an outdated limit table may be wrong.
For exports, the limits of the destination country may differ from EU limits; the same product may be compliant in one market and non-compliant in another.

Which decisions these results support

Verification of the HACCP plan and process monitoring
The basis for the nutrition declaration and allergen information on the label
Health certificates before export and compliance with destination market limits
Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
Shelf-life studies and determining storage conditions
Producing evidence for audits under GFSI-recognised schemes

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About GMO

Can I write 'GMO-free'?

The claim must be verifiable and in some markets its use is further regulated. Analysis alone is not enough; A system of segregation and documentation throughout the supply chain is also required.

Can GMO analysis be done on refined soybean oil?

Refining largely destroys DNA and analysis is often inconclusive. In these products, conformity is demonstrated not by analysis, but by raw material documents and traceability records.