Fairfield, Iowa, USA
September 9, 2009
Today the European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reported finding an unapproved genetically modified (GM) flax/linseed variety in cereal and bakery products in Germany. The GM flax variety, FP967 (CDC Triffid), is not authorized for food or feed use in the EU.
GM flax FP967 has tolerance to soil residues of sulfonylurea-based herbicides, and was developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Canada supplies approximately 70% of the total flax/linseed utilized in the EU annually.
Because GM flax FP967 is not authorized in the European Union, there is zero tolerance for the variety per EU regulations. This means that any raw material or flax/linseed derivative analyzed to be positive for FP967 is not marketable in the EU.
Testing is recommended for exports of flax products to the EU. Genetic ID is currently the only GMO testing laboratory offering a specific and accredited PCR test for GM flax FP967. Genetic ID developed the test for GM flax FP967 according to the guidelines of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and has made it available to surveillance authorities, the JRC, and the food and feed industries.
The test for GM flax FP967 is included in the ISO 17025 scope of accreditation for Genetic ID laboratories in the United States and Europe. This test is now available for all flax/linseed products.
Call GM flax test information hotline: United States and Canada 888-229-2011
www.genetic-id.com
Genetic ID provides a full range of GMO testing services from its laboratories in Fairfield, Iowa USA; Augsburg, Germany; and Yokohama, Japan; as well as through Genetic ID’s Global Laboratory Alliance of exclusive licensees. The Company’s testing services are used by the food and feed industries worldwide to confidently and reliably detect and quantify the presence of GMOs.
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