scholarly journals EU Inspections of GM Content in Food and Feed: Are They Effective?

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 842
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Areal ◽  
Laura Riesgo
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
High Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Freedom Of Choice ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Imported Food ◽  
Low Probability

We investigate the effectiveness of inspecting regimes in controlling food and feed products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) non-compliant with European Commission (EC) regulations (i.e., a food/feed import containing above the 0.9% GM content threshold for food and at or above 0.1% for feed allowed by the EC regulations but not (or incorrectly) labelled or food/feed imports containing unauthorized GMOs). We collate information at the country level from EC official reports on the number of samples and cases of non-compliance identified by official controls conducted by European Member States (MS). We analyze the probability of finding non-compliant food/feed imports for a number of MS countries between 2000 and 2013, by using a hierarchical model, which interlinks the number of samples taken (i.e., inspections) with interceptions of non-compliant products. Results show that the probability of finding imported products non-compliant with EC’s GMO regulations in food and feed varies among MS countries but, in most cases, is relatively high. For instance, for imported food products in 2004, the probability of the rate of intercepting non-compliant food products being above 5% and 10% in France was 99% and 70%, respectively. However, whereas countries such as Sweden, Portugal, and Austria also show a high rate of intercepting non-compliant food, other countries such as Germany and Spain show a very low probability of finding imported food products being non-compliant. For imported feed products, the overall probability of rate of intercepting non-compliant feed products being above 5% and 10% per country and year was even higher than for imported food products (e.g., 100% in the case of Hungary in 2005). The European Union regulation needs to guide MS adequately in order to establish the optimal level of inspections, guaranteeing consumers’ freedom of choice.

scholarly journals Genetiği Değiştirilmiş Organizmaların Tespiti ve Ölçümünde Kullanılan Farklı Gerçek Zamanlı PCR Kimyasallarının Karşılaştırılması

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (sp1) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Leyla Bener ◽  
Mustafa Ersal ◽  
Berkant İ. Yıldız
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Exact Amount

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) is an advanced molecular method for determining the amount of nucleic acid in both gene expression analysis and routine Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) measurement. An accurate measurement method is essential given that the labelling threshold for genetically modified organisms (GMO) residues in food and feed products is 5% in Japan and 0,9% in the European Union. Determination of GMO components, quantification of exact amount and determination of trace amounts in food matrices are possible in q-PCR. Various q-PCR chemicals are used for this purpose. These; intercalation dyes, primary based, chemicals and probe based chemicals. With the increasing number of GMO products in the grocery stores, the number of analyses performed per sample and thus the cost of analysis increase. For this purpose, in GMO studies, improved detection methods are needed to determine the presence of GMOs in order to perform fast and economically feasible scans. In this study, q-PCR chemistries were compared in terms of cost, efficiency and applicability.

Reports on Recent Activities of European Food Safety Authority

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 217-220
Keyword(s):  
Pesticide Residues ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Official Control ◽  
National Programmes ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Risk Managers

This report provides an overview of the 2017 official control activities on pesticide residues carried out in the European Union (EU) Member States, Iceland and Norway. It summarises the results of both the 2017 EU-coordinated control programme (EUCP) and the national control programmes (NP). While the NPs are mostly risk based (so called enforcement samples) focusing on pesticides or products originating from countries where a number of exceedances have been observed in the past, the EUCP aims to present a statistically representative snapshot of the situation of pesticide residues in food products that are mostly consumed in the EU following a random sampling procedure. The report includes the outcome of a dietary risk assessment based on the results of the overall 2017 control programmes. The comprehensive analysis of the results of all reporting countries provides risk managers with sound-based evidence for designing future monitoring programmes, in particular for taking decisions on which pesticides and food products should be targeted in risk-based national programmes.

Research and approaches to the integration processes in the European Union

2017 ◽  
pp. 126-133
Author(s):  
Alexander Motsyk
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Fourth Level ◽  
Methodological Principles ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Political Groups ◽  
Integration Levels

The article is devoted to the study of modern trends of integration processes. We studied the methodological principles and approaches to the study of the integration of subjects. Specifically analyzed integration levels: individual, regional, domestic, interstate, global. Also, isolated and characterized various forms of integration: political, economic, informational, cultural and others. We analyzed the integration process as a result of the relationship, cooperation, convergence and integration into a single unit of any parts, components countries, their economies, social and political structures, cultural, social and political groups, ethnic groups, political parties, movements and organizations. It is proved that integration has several levels of development. Interaction at the level of enterprises and organizations (first level) – directly to producers of goods and services. The integration of the economies of the main links of different countries is complemented by the interaction at the country level (the second level). The third level of development of integration processes – interaction at the level of parties and organizations, social groups and individuals from different countries – can be defined as a social and political one. Fourth level – is the level of the actual integration group as an economic community, with its characteristics and peculiarities. It was noted that today is used by political science approaches to the study of integration. It is important to the following principles: federalism, functionalism, communicative approach, and others. Keywords: Integration, levels, approaches, studies, European integration, politics, economics, features

scholarly journals Economic and Environmental Consequences of the ECJ Genome Editing Judgment in Agriculture

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1212
Author(s):  
Alexander Gocht ◽  
Nicola Consmüller ◽  
Ferike Thom ◽  
Harald Grethe
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Eu

Genome-edited crops are on the verge of being placed on the market and their agricultural and food products will thus be internationally traded soon. National regulations, however, diverge regarding the classification of genome-edited crops. Major countries such as the US and Brazil do not specifically regulate genome-edited crops, while in the European Union, they fall under GMO legislation, according to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). As it is in some cases impossible to analytically distinguish between products from genome-edited plants and those from non-genome-edited plants, EU importers may fear the risk of violating EU legislation. They may choose not to import any agricultural and food products based on crops for which genome-edited varieties are available. Therefore, crop products of which the EU is currently a net importer would become more expensive in the EU, and production would intensify. Furthermore, an intense substitution of products covered and not covered by genome editing would occur in consumption, production, and trade. We analyzed the effects of such a cease of EU imports for cereals and soy in the EU agricultural sector with the comparative static agricultural sector equilibrium model CAPRI. Our results indicate dramatic effects on agricultural and food prices as well as on farm income. The intensification of EU agriculture may result in negative net environmental effects in the EU as well as in an increase in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This suggests that trade effects should be considered when developing domestic regulation for genome-edited crops.

scholarly journals Policy Interventions Promoting Sustainable Food- and Feed-Systems: A Delphi Study of Legume Production and Consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7597
Author(s):  
Bálint Balázs ◽  
Eszter Kelemen ◽  
Tiziana Centofanti ◽  
Marta W. Vasconcelos ◽  
Pietro P. M. Iannetta
Keyword(s):  
Delphi Study ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
The Eu

The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite the potential of legume-supported production systems to reduce the externalities caused by current cultivation practices (excessive use of N fertilizer) and improve the sustainability of the arable cropping systems and the quality of human diets, sufficient production of high-protein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. Identifying the barriers to the production and consumption of legumes is the first step in realizing new pathways towards more sustainable food systems of which legumes are integral part. In this study, we engage stakeholders and decision-makers in a structured communication process, the Delphi method, to identify policy interventions leveraging barriers that hinder the production and consumption of legumes in the EU. This study is one of a kind and uses a systematic method to reach a common understanding of the policy incoherencies across sectors. Through this method we identify policy interventions that may promote the production of legumes and the creation of legume-based products in the EU. Policies that encourage reduced use of inorganic N fertilizer represent an important step toward a shift in the increased cultivation of legumes. Relatedly, investment in R&D, extension services, and knowledge transfer is necessary to support a smooth transition from the heavy use of synthetic N fertilizer in conventional agriculture. These policy interventions are discussed within current EU and national plant-protein strategies.

Biosafety of Genome Editing Applications in Plant Breeding: Considerations for a Focused Case-Specific Risk Assessment in the EU

BioTech ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Michael F. Eckerstorfer ◽  
Marcin Grabowski ◽  
Matteo Lener ◽  
Margret Engelhard ◽  
Samson Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Genome Editing ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Unintended Effects ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Gm Plants ◽  
European Court ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Deliberate Release ◽  
Specific Assessment

An intensely debated question is whether or how a mandatory environmental risk assessment (ERA) should be conducted for plants obtained through novel genomic techniques, including genome editing (GE). Some countries have already exempted certain types of GE applications from their regulations addressing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In the European Union, the European Court of Justice confirmed in 2018 that plants developed by novel genomic techniques for directed mutagenesis are regulated as GMOs. Thus, they have to undergo an ERA prior to deliberate release or being placed on the market. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two opinions on the relevance of the current EU ERA framework for GM plants obtained through novel genomic techniques (NGTs). Regarding GE plants, the opinions confirmed that the existing ERA framework is suitable in general and that the current ERA requirements need to be applied in a case specific manner. Since EFSA did not provide further guidance, this review addresses a couple of issues relevant for the case-specific assessment of GE plants. We discuss the suitability of general denominators of risk/safety and address characteristics of GE plants which require particular assessment approaches. We suggest integrating the following two sets of considerations into the ERA: considerations related to the traits developed by GE and considerations addressing the assessment of method-related unintended effects, e.g., due to off-target modifications. In conclusion, we recommend that further specific guidance for the ERA and monitoring should be developed to facilitate a focused assessment approach for GE plants.

scholarly journals Analysis of E.U. Rapid Alert System (RASFF) Notifications for Aflatoxins in Exported U.S. Food and Feed Products for 2010–2019

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Ahmad Alshannaq ◽  
Jae-Hyuk Yu
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Export Market ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Alert System ◽  
Agricultural Export ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pistachio Nuts ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Rapid Alert System

The most common, toxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxins found in human food and animal feed are the aflatoxins (AFs). The United States is a leading exporter of various nuts, with a marketing value of $9.1 billion in 2019; the European Union countries are the major importers of U.S. nuts. In the past few years, border rejections and notifications for U.S. tree nuts and peanuts exported to the E.U. countries have increased due to AF contamination. In this work, we analyzed notifications from the “Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)” on U.S. food and feed products contaminated with mycotoxins, primarily AFs, for the 10-year period 2010–2019. Almost 95% of U.S. mycotoxin RASFF notifications were reported for foods and only 5% for feeds. We found that 98.9% of the U.S. food notifications on mycotoxins were due to the AF contamination in almond, peanut, and pistachio nuts. Over half of these notifications (57.9%) were due to total AF levels greater than the FDA action level in food of 20 ng g−1. The Netherlands issued 27% of the AF notifications for U.S. nuts. Border rejection was reported for more than 78% of AF notifications in U.S. nuts. All U.S. feed notifications on mycotoxins occurred due to the AF contamination. Our research contributes to better understanding the main reasons behind RASFF mycotoxins notifications of U.S. food and feed products destined to E.U. countries. Furthermore, we speculate possible causes of this problem and provide a potential solution that could minimize the number of notifications for U.S. agricultural export market.

Detection of genetically modified food products in indian market using PCR based GMO detection kit: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navami Dayal ◽  
Vaishnavi Murugan ◽  
Meghal Shah ◽  
Suparna Deepak
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Food Products ◽  
35S Promoter ◽  
Ammonium Bromide ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Indian Market ◽  
Gmo Detection ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Imported Food

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have not approved any genetically modified (GM) food products to be manufactured, distributed, sold/or imported in the country. Many countries across the globe are legally approved to cultivate GM crops like soybean, maize, canola, cotton seeds, etc. Many people living in urban India nowadays prefer to purchase imported food products. As a result, an increasing number of food items (without GM labels) are being imported in India. Nevertheless, these products are also easily available for buyers online. Thus, it is important to understand whether these imported food items available in the Indian market are GMO-free. The objective of this study is to check the availability of GM food products in raw and processed forms in the Indian local market through the use of conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The study is designed to screen for the presence of regulatory genes (35S promoter and NOS terminator) which are the most common sequences found in transgenic food products. Using the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method, DNA was extracted from 12 food samples commercially available in the Indian market (locally and online) followed by PCR to detect the presence of GM DNA using HIMEDIA’S MBPCR055 GMO detection kit. Overall, 16.66% of the total samples were tested positive for GM DNA. Of the imported food items, 33.33% were tested positive. Products that were manufactured in the US and Netherlands were tested positive for GMOs. Their main ingredients were also soy and corn. Samples manufactured in India were GMO negative.

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