Why Test for GMO?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These are primarily used in agriculture to enhance traits such as yield, pest resistance, and herbicide tolerance. GMOs are prevalent in many staple crops like corn, soybean, and cotton, with a significant portion of such crops in countries like the USA being genetically modified​​.

GMO testing plays a crucial role in the agricultural and food industries, addressing the needs of various stakeholders including regulatory bodies, businesses, and consumers. This testing is fundamental for several reasons:

GMO regulatory policy varies widely around the globe. Many countries and regions, such as the European Union, have regulations regarding:

• Which GM events may be cultivated: Some countries have specific rules on which genetically modified crops can be grown within their borders. Compliance with these regulations is essential for agricultural producers.
• Which GM events may be imported for food/feed: Imported genetically modified food and feed are subject to strict controls and may require certification to comply with local GMO regulations.
• Under which conditions labeling is required for products containing genetically modified ingredients. Labeling requirements are critical for consumer choice and trust and vary by region.

Commercial contracts may stipulate GMO testing to ensure product compliance with specific GMO content requirements. This testing is crucial for businesses to:

• Qualitative GMO Testing: Some business-to-business contracts require qualitative GMO testing to verify that GMOs are "not detected" in the seed/grain/product.
• Quantitative GMO Testing: Other contracts necessitate quantitative GMO testing to ensure that the GMO level of the seed/grain/ingredient/product is below a certain threshold, such as 0.1% GMO or 0.9% GMO.

Therefore, to meet contract requirements, companies may need to conduct GMO testing on both inputs and/or final products.

To maintain standards and substantiate product claims, companies engage in GMO testing for several key reasons:

• Purity Verification: Seed companies may perform tests to confirm their GMO seeds' purity and identity, ensuring they are free from unintended genetic modifications.
• Non-GMO Standards Compliance: Manufacturers or processors might test to verify that their processes and products align with their internal "non-GMO" standards or to substantiate "non-GMO" claims on product labels.
• Certification Requirements: Companies often need to undergo rigorous GMO testing to comply with third-party non-GMO certification or verification programs, such as the Non-GMO Project in the United States and Canada.

FoodChain ID's GMO testing services are a critical component of the verification process, ensuring meticulous quality control from raw ingredients to finished goods.