Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Foods Research Programme (G02)

The aim of this programme was to refine the current safety assessment of novel (including GM) foods using new and emerging techniques for the evaluation of the next generation of genetically modified plants.

An FAO/WHO expert consultation in May 2000 recognised ‘that there were presently no alternative strategies that would provide a better assurance of safety for genetically modified foods than the appropriate use of the concept of substantial equivalence’. Nevertheless, it was agreed that some aspects of the steps in the safety assessment process could be refined to keep abreast of developments in genetic modification technology. New methodologies, such as profiling techniques, offer the means of providing a more detailed analytical comparison. However, it was recognised that much more developmental work was necessary before such methods could be validated.

This programme has explored the applicability and practicality of using a variety of existing and emerging techniques in the field of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics in refining the safety assessment process.

The Food Standards Agency is the UK Competent Authority in the approval process for all novel, including GM, foods. Various international fora have discussed the safety assessment procedure for GM and novel foods and have concluded that new and emerging techniques should be investigated to enhance and refine the current approach using the concept of substantial equivalence.

The key objectives for the Novel Foods Additives and Supplements Division are to ensure the Division meets its obligations to the Agency in terms of advice and that the Division plays a part in helping the Agency to discharge its statutory obligations as set out in the Food Standards Act 1999. In particular the Novel Foods Division will ensure that all novel and GM foods and novel processes are assessed for safety and that a research and development programme is supported to underpin the safety of novel and GM foods to ensure that the most up-to-date scientific knowledge is used.

The G02 programme has addressed key issues of consumer concern regarding the current safety assessment of GM foods. The current safety assessment considers the gross composition of the transgenic plant and compares this data with that of its unmodified conventional counterpart. The advent of genomic, proteomic and metabolomic techniques may allow for the safety assessment to be refined by examining differences at the protein and metabolite levels.

This research programme is now complete and a summary of the outcome was published in FSA News in June 2005. A full report will be published shortly. Its findings will contribute to the safety assessment of novel foods, ensuring that the most up-to-date science is used.

A full report has been published, and is attached below in both word and pdf format.

Name: Dr Sonia Molnar
Tel: 020 7276 8571
Email: sonia.molnar@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk