GM Food Survey 2005 May 2006

Transcription

1 GM Food Survey 2005 May 2006

2 CONTENTS 1. SUMMARY 3 Page 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 FSAI - Competent Authority For GM Food In Ireland 2.2 History of GM Food Surveys by FSAI 2.3 Legislation Regulating GM Food in the EU and Ireland 2.4 Authorised GM Foods METHODOLOGY 5 4. RESULTS 5 5. CONCLUSIONS 8 2

3 1. SUMMARY The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) regularly surveys the food supply in Ireland to ensure that food and food ingredients containing or consisting of Genetically Modified (GM) ingredients, such as soya and maize adhere to EU GM food legislation. A total of 58 of the 236 foods sampled for DNA analysis by the FSAI between 2000 and 2005 (approximately 25%) were found to contain low levels of GM ingredients. EU legislation governing GM food was not breached as only authorised GM ingredients were identified and the relative levels were below the threshold above which GM labelling is required. The FSAI is satisfied that GM foods and ingredients authorised for sale in the EU are as safe as their conventional counterpart and will continue to protect the interests of Irish consumers by ensuring that GM foods are labelled appropriately. In the most recent survey of foods containing soya and/or maize ingredients, a total of 60 food samples were analysed, with six (10%) being found to contain low levels of DNA from the EU authorised Roundup Ready soya. The level of GM ingredients in all samples was estimated to be less than the 0.9% labelling threshold and information provided by the manufacturers indicated these were due to adventitious mixing. However, three of the samples with GM soya carried claims indicating that they were made from non-gm soya, which could be considered misleading to the consumer and in breach of Article 2 of the general food labelling Directive (2000/13/EC). 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 Food Safety Authority of Ireland - Competent Authority for GM Food in Ireland The FSAI is the Competent Authority for GM foods in Ireland and is charged with enforcing EU and national legislation governing GM food (Regulations EC No. 1829/2003 & EC No. 1830/2003). Only authorised GM food and food ingredients are permitted on the EU market and they must be labelled appropriately. By carrying out regular surveys of the food supply, the FSAI monitors the level of compliance with GM food legislation and ensures that only authorised and correctly labelled GM ingredients are on the Irish market History of GM Food Surveys by FSAI One of the first GM food surveys carried out by the FSAI (published in 2001) targeted tortilla chips and taco shells to determine whether or not they contained GM maize ingredients. The results showed that 73% of the samples tested (19 out of 26) contained GM maize and those identified had been authorised for food use within the EU. Specific GM labelling was not required since the GM ingredient was present at less than 1% of the entire ingredient. However, packaging of one of the GM maize samples carried the claim no GM corn used. 3

4 A second survey (published in 2002) focused on soya-based foods including dried soya meat substitutes, soya dairy alternatives and soya infant formulae. Eighteen out of the 37 foods analysed (49%) were found to contain GM ingredients, of which 15 were identified as the EU authorised Roundup Ready variety. None of the GM positive samples contained more than 1% of a GM ingredient while five carried GM free claims. The third survey (published in 2003) examined breakfast cereals, baby foods, snack foods, dried soya products, soya and maize flours and bakery products. The results showed that 12 of the 75 samples tested (16%) contained GM ingredients. Nine samples were shown to contain Roundup Ready soya, 1 contained Bt176 maize and the remaining 2 were unidentified. None of the GM-positive samples contained more than 1% GM material and thus GM specific labelling was not required. GM free type labels were carried on 19 of the foods sampled, 6 of which (32%) were found to contain some level of GM ingredient. In 2004, a survey was carried out of foods carrying labels that indicated they did not contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients (GM free type labels). Three of the 24 food samples tested for GM ingredients were found to contain low levels of Roundup Ready soya while one contained trace amounts of GM maize. The labelling of 23 other foods was examined separately to determine why they carried GM free type labels despite the fact that it was not evident that any of the ingredients listed could have a GM source. Eight companies satisfied the FSAI that the products in question contained ingredients that could, alternatively, be produced from a GM source; four manufacturers agreed that their labelling may not be appropriate on their products and consented to address the issue. However, a further four companies contended that the use of such labelling was appropriate for their products even though the foods in question did not contain ingredients with a possible GM origin. Also in 2004, 14 sweet corn and 6 popcorn samples were subjected to DNA analysis but GM maize was not detected in any of the samples. The full reports can be viewed at: While no breaches of GM labelling legislation were detected as a result of the previous surveys, the issue of GM free labelling was identified as a potential problem Legislation Regulating GM Food in the EU and Ireland The authorisation and labelling of GM food within the EU is governed by Articles 5 to 7 and Articles 12 & 13 respectively of the GM Food and Feed Regulation (EC No. 1829/2003). Specific GM labelling is required where more than 0.9% of a food or ingredient is produced from, or contains a GMO, and this requirement is not dependent on the presence of GM DNA or protein. Where the GM content of a food or 4

5 ingredient is no more than 0.9%, specific GM labelling is not required provided its presence is adventitious or technically unavoidable. The threshold applies to the ingredients considered individually, or to the whole food where a food comprises a single ingredient. To avail of this exemption, operators must be able to demonstrate that they have taken appropriate steps to avoid the presence of GM ingredients. Like all food, GM food is also subject to the general food labelling Directive (2000/13/EC, SI No. 92 of 2000) which stipulates that labelling must not mislead the purchaser to a material degree Authorised GM Foods GM ingredients from soya bean (1), maize (16), oilseed rape (9) and cotton (5) are authorised in the EU. Most of these crops have been genetically altered to tolerate the application of specific herbicides and/or resist attack by certain pests. A frequently updated European Commission website lists the GM ingredients authorised for food use within the EU: 3. METHODOLOGY In November 2005, 60 food products containing soya and/or maize ingredients were purchased by the FSAI in supermarkets and a health food shop in Dublin city centre. The food samples were submitted for DNA analysis to determine the identity and relative quantity of any GM ingredients present. 4. RESULTS The analytical results presented in this report relate solely to the individual batches tested, and do not necessarily reflect the GM status of those food products in general. GM maize was not detected in any of the samples while GM soya ingredients were detected in six out of the 60 samples tested (10%) at less than the 0.9% labelling threshold level. Three of the samples containing GM soya were meat substitutes and carried the claim made from non-gm soya on their labelling. The UK based company producing these foods had already been notified about similar problems highlighted in earlier FSAI surveys. ( 5

6 Table 1: Foods tested for GM ingredients Product Best Before Lot GM Result Realeat Vege Burger Mix 30/09/2006 L5249/2/1 Direct Foods Sosmix 31/10/2006 L5109/3/1 Direct Foods Burgamix 31/12/2006 L5171/2/2 The health store T. V. P. brown mince 08/09/ % Roundup Ready Soya 0.2% Roundup Ready Soya <0.1% Roundup Ready Soya <0.1% Roundup Ready Soya Dragonfly Beany 21/11/ negative Pot Noodle Beef & Tomato pot noodle Gut Freilingshof Chicken nuggets Glen View Farm cocktail sausages Ye Olde Oak Giant Hot Dogs in brine Campbells Meatballs in gravy The Redwood Co. cheddar style Cheezly 31/01/2006 L103A1 trace Roundup Ready soya 31/10/2006 L negative 29/03/ negative 31/08/ negative 31/07/ AL negative 01/02/ trace Roundup Ready soya Tofutti Creamy Smooth 18/02/2006 6L negative Sojasun Live Soya Speciality Sojasun Live Soya Dessert - Raspberry Passion alpro soya Dairy free alternative to yogurt - Forest fruit + calcium Soyatoo Soya spray cream alpro soya chocolate flavoured dessert 21/11/ :24 negative 22/11/ negative 22/11/2005 1/ negative 22/10/ :17 negative 29/05/2006 B350116:51 negative clear Tofu spot 11/11/ negative the health store soya beans the health store maize meal polenta 29/07/ negative 29/07/ negative Amaizin Bio corn chips 07/01/2006 A negative El Tequito Tortillas - mexican chilli Marks & Spencer nacho cheese flavoured tortilla chips Palomitas microwave popcorn 19/09/2006 C negative 17/01/ E 21:01 negative 01/08/ negative 6

7 Product Best Before Lot Result Family Favourite Medium Sliced Brown bread Golden Sun Medium Sliced white bread Hovis White Square Cut Medium Sliced white bread Marks & Spencer count on us stoneground wholemeal thick sliced bread Marks & Spencer Medium Sliced white bread Marks & Spencer Soft white seeded sliced bread Gill's sliced 100% wholewheat Sunblest Plain unsliced white bread Vogel's Swiss Style mixed Grain Brown bread WeightWatchers Brennans Sliced white bread Johnston Mooney & O'Brien Butterkrust Toastie white toasting pan 15/11/ :09 negative 15/11/2005 X25 G negative 14/11/ :55 negative 11/11/ negative 14/11/ negative 14/11/ negative 28/11/ negative 18/11/2005 N(BE2) 11:29 negative 18/11/2005 A1 16 negative 18/11/2005 negative 18/11/2005 B2 16 negative Old Mill Country Brown 28/11/2005 negative Old Mill Country Oatmeal 28/11/ negative Old Mill Brown soft roll 29/11/2005 negative Dunnes Stores Simply Better whiskey fruit loaf Butterkrust Maltana fruit malt loaf 15/12/ :41 T negative 20/11/2005 C18 negative Paxo Golden crumbs 31/05/ A negative Biona Chocolate & Hazelnut cookies Sirius muesli cereal bar with apple Marks & Spencer count on us brownie cereal bars Amoy Stir-fry sauce - sweet soy chow mein 02/05/2006 negative 12/11/2006 negative 05/04/2006 negative 31/12/ D negative Clearspring Shoyu 2006 negative Meridian Foods Shoyu 31/05/ :02 negative 7

8 Product Best Before Lot Result Amoy light soy sauce 30/04/ K negative Kikkoman soy sauce 25/08/2008 L4345 negative Kikkoman Teriaki marinade 01/06/2006 L :04 negative Knorr Savoury Gravy 31/07/2007 TOYGEAD negative Bisto gravy granules 31/01/ :32 A negative Oxo Oxo for beef 31/05/ W210:54 negative Schwartz chicken stock mix Schwartz Hollandaise sauce mix Knorr Bread sauce mix 31/08/2007 Chef Select Parsley sauce mix 31/03/2007 L0825C negative 31/05/2007 L1515B negative L5242AD007 16:48 negative 31/01/ CB negative Sanchi Instant Miso soup 31/12/ negative Clearspring Mellow White Miso instant soup with tofu Tesco value Chicken flavour & vegetable soup in a mug 28/02/ /02/2005 negative 31/03/ :19 33 negative 5. CONCLUSIONS GM foods that have been authorised within the EU are considered as safe as their non-gm counterparts and, to enable consumer choice, must be labelled accordingly. Due to the global nature of the food supply in general, and the fact that maize and soya are not grown in Ireland, it is increasingly difficult to guarantee that any food containing maize or soya ingredients will be completely free of GM ingredients. Therefore the potential for small amounts of GM ingredients mixing with non-gm ingredients is taken into consideration by current EU legislation that makes it mandatory to label ingredients as GM only where more than 0.9% of that ingredient is GM. The FSAI routinely monitors the marketplace to ensure that only authorised GM food is on sale in Ireland and that it is labelled appropriately. A positive result of the FSAI GM food surveys to date is that while GM ingredients have been detected in a proportion of foods tested, no breaches of the EU GM food legislation have been identified. However, one persistent problem highlighted by these surveys is the level of inaccuracy of claims such as GM free, non- GM etc. Such claims are voluntarily placed on foods by the food industry and though not legally defined are still subject to Article 2, 1. (a) of the General 8

9 Labelling Directive (2000/13/EC) that stipulates labelling must not mislead the consumer to a material degree. The food products of one UK based company in particular have been identified in a number of FSAI surveys as carrying potentially misleading claims relating to non-gm status and, despite representations by FSAI, the problem has not been addressed. As a result, the FSAI has discussed this issue with the retail trade in Ireland and requested that a long term solution be developed to prevent the persistent misleading of consumers by these products. The accuracy of food labels is ultimately the responsibility of the food industry which must ensure that all food labels and claims are accurate so that consumers are not misled. To this end the retail trade in Ireland has responded positively and agreed to address the issue of specific food products with misleading claims as highlighted by FSAI GM food surveys. Relevant legislation GM food legislation can be found at the following webpage: Food labelling legislation can be found at the following webpage: FURTHER INFORMATION Further information on this survey can be obtained from: Food Safety Information Centre, Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Abbey Court, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1 Tel: Fax: (01) info@fsai.ie. Website: 9