Overview

This standard specifies qualitative procedures based on nucleic acids used for detection of genetically modified organisms and food produced thereof. For this purpose, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is applied. Qualitative detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and derived products is carried out by analysing the nucleic acids extracted from the sample under study. The specificity of the methods, as described in the Annexes, ranges from screening methods to detect common DNA sequences characteristic of GMOs, to specific identification of a genetic construct or a specific transformation event. The main focus of this standard is on PCR based amplification methods. Due to the high speed of technical changes in this field other amplification methods and detection methods may also be taken into account, however. Guidelines, minimum requirements and performance criteria laid down in the standard are intended to ensure that comparable and reproducible results are obtained in different laboratories. The standard has been established for food matrices, but could also be applied to other matrices, for example, seeds, feed and environmental samples. Specific examples of methods for qualitative detection of detection of genetically modified organisms are provided in the annexes of this standard. In this Amendment, specifications relating to the result have been rendered more precise and new procedures have been included in Annexes A.5, A.6, B.6, B.7, B.8, B.9, C.6, C.7, C.8 and D.2.

Document: references other documents

Document: referenced in other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 057-01-04 AA - Genetically modified foodstuffs  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 275/WG 11 - Genetically modified foodstuffs