Qpcr-Based Detection of Genetically Modified Processed Foods in India
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qPCR-based Detection of Genetically Modified Processed Foods in India INVESTIGATORS Dr. Vinod Vijayan Dr. Rajarshi Banerjee July 2018 CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT (CSE) 41, TUGHLAKABAD INSTITUTIONAL AREA, NEW DELHI–110062 TEL:91-11-29956110/5124/6394/6399 FAX:91-11-29955879 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.cseindia.org POLLUTION MONITORING LABORATORY, ANIL AGARWAL ENVIRONMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE (AAETI), (A unit of Centre for Science & Environment, New Delhi) NO.2151/2036 & 2037/2083, NIMLI, TIJARA, ALWAR, RAJASTHAN-301019 1 Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 3 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 3 3. RESULTS 7 4. CONCLUSION 9 5. REFERENCES 10 6. ANNEXURES 11 2 qPCR-based Detection of Genetically Modified Processed Foods in India 1. INTRODUCTION In order to regulate the availability of genetically modified (GM) foods in a country, approval process and enforcement systems require detection of foods prepared with ingredients from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) using a reliable and precise DNA-based (deoxyribonucleic acid) method. As varieties of GM crops are increasing, it is important to use appropriate qualitative methods for screening GM ingredients in food products (Maryam Rabiei, 2013). The basis for such a qualitative GM screening procedure involves the detection of genetic sequences such as promoters and transcription terminators. GM crops contain promoter sequences like 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and FMV promoter of figwort mosaic virus, and terminator sequence like 3’ untranslated region of nopaline synthase (NOS) gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. It is possible to detect such sequences by real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) method (Reinhard Zeitler, 2002). More than 95 per cent of the presently available GM crops are positive for a combination of a these promoter and terminator sequences (Markus Fandke, 2002). Country-level legislation should ensure a safe approach to GMOs, GM food, and GM feed, which includes food and environmental safety. It should cover all aspects such as cultivation, manufacturing, import and sale and ensure appropriate authorization, traceability and labelling. Qualitative detection is the first critical and effective step in GMO analysis, as only positive samples are subjected to further identification and quantitative analysis. The apex food regulator in India − food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) has so far not approved any GM food product to be manufactured, distributed, sold or imported in the country. The objective of this study was to check the availability of processed GM foods in the Indian market through the use of qPCR screening procedure. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Sample collection of food commodities – oils, packaged foods, infant foods and protein supplements from retail shops Processed foods which could possibly have commonly marketed GM ingredients were identified. These include food products that were made from or using soya, corn, cotton and rapeseed (canola) ingredients as GM variants of these crops are widely cultivated in many parts of the world. The samples were randomly collected from retail outlets in Delhi NCR, Gujarat and Punjab and included those domestically- manufactured or imported into India. Some food products declared the use of GM ingredients on their labels (see Table 1: Samples tested for GMO screening; see Annexure 1: Details of food samples tested). To corroborate study results, cotton leaf (collected from Nimli, Tijara in Rajasthan) and commercially available cottonseeds (Super-931, Bollgard II, Monsanto) were collected and used as positive controls for testing GM material. 3 Table 1: Samples tested for GMO screening Food product/ Brand/company Relevant ingredients Labelling with regard Country category to GM of origin Oils: 16 Canola Wagga Wagga Edible vegetable oil. Imported refined rapeseed oil (canola oil) low erucic acid Made from Non-GMO Australia (Diabetes care) Canola seeds Canola Wagga Wagga (Heart Imported refined rapeseed oil low erucic acid (80% by wt), imported refined olive oil (20% by - India* care) wt).Seeds from Australia. Canola Borges Edible refined rapeseed low erucic acid oil - Spain Canola Jivo Imported refined rapeseed oil low erucic acid oil - Canada Canola Candrop Imported rapeseed low erucic acid oil (canola oil). Product of Canada GMO free Canada Canola Farell Edible vegetable oil. Imported refined rapeseed oil low erucic acid oil - UAE Canola Hudson Imported refined canola oil. Edible grade oil. Extracted from Canadian oilseeds - UAE Soya bean Fresh & Pure Refined soya bean oil - India Soya bean Fortune Soya Health Refined soya bean oil - India Soya bean Nature Fresh Acti Lite Soya bean oil - India Corn rice bran Saffola Tasty 60 % corn oil, 40 % rice bran oil - India Cottonseed (kapasia tel) Tirupati Refined cottonseed oil - India Cottonseed (kapasia tel) Ankur Refined cottonseed oil - India Cottonseed Ginni Refined cottonseed oil - India Cottonseed Vimal Refined cottonseed oil - India Crude cottonseed Unknown Crude cottonseed - India Packaged foods: 39 Soya vadi Golden Harvest Not mentioned - India Mini soya chunks (mini Fortune Soya flour - India soya vadi) Soya chunks Nutrela 100% defatted soya - India Soya chunks Ektaa Not mentioned - India Dark soy sauce Pantai (norasingh) Soya bean extract (52%), soya bean - Thailand Dark soy sauce Ong’s Soya bean extract (38%), soya beans - Singapore Soy sauce classic American Garden Hydrolysed soy protein, high fructose corn syrup - USA Corn flakes + (with real Bagrrys Corn grits (85%), invert syrup - India honey) Corn flakes Kellogg’s Corn grits, invert syrup - India Sweet corn chicken Keya Corn - India (instant everyday soup) Sweet corn soup Ching’s Secret Corn starch, sweet corn - India Sweet corn chicken soup Knorr Classic Maize starch, corn (5.8%) - India Frozen sweet corn Safal Individually quick frozen sweet corn kernels - India Sweet corn kernel Veg affaire Individually quick frozen sweet corn kernels - India Whole kernel corn Del Monte Corn - India Sweet whole kernels corn PromPlus Sweet kernel corn Non-GMO Thailand Corn (original naturally Green Giant Sweet corn - France sweet) Popcorn (classic salted) ACT II Popping corn, refined edible palmoline oil - India Sriracha lime cheese PVR Corn (62%), edible vegetable oil Non-GMO corn India popcorn American Sweet Corn Yummiez Sweet corns - India Pringles potato crisps Kellogg’s Corn flour - Malaysia (original) Potato crisps Lays (Stax Original) Cottonseed oil, corn oil, soy lecithin, contains a soy ingredient Partially produced with Mexico 4 Food product/ Brand/company Relevant ingredients Labelling with regard Country category to GM of origin Genetic Engineering Froot Loops (sweetened Kellogg’s Corn flour blend, whole grain yellow corn flour, degerminated yellow corn flour, soybean and /or - USA multigrain cereal) cottonseed oil Tortilla chips (cool ranch Doritos Corn, corn oil, canola oil, corn starch, corn syrup solids, maltodextrin made from corn - USA flavoured) Crunchy peanut butter American Kitchen Hydrogenated vegetable oil (cottonseed and/or rapeseed oil) - USA Popcorn Hot N’ Spicy American Garden Partially hydrogenated soybean oil, popcorn, contains milk and soy - USA Butter and Garlic Croutons Mrs. Cubbison’s Canola oil, high fructose corn syrup Partially produced with USA made from Texas Toast Genetic Engineering Bread Multigrain Cheerios (5 Nestle Wholegrain corn flour (2%), partially inverted brown sugar syrup - UK whole grains) Corn puffs (naturally fruit Trix Whole grain corn, corn meal, corn syrup, canola oil Produced with Genetic USA flavoured sweetened) Engineering Aloo bhujia Haldirams Cottonseed oil, corn oil - India Pop tarts toaster pastries Kellogg’s Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, corn flour, soy lecithin, corn starch, contains - USA (frosted blueberry) wheat and soy ingredients Silken tofu (extra firm) Mori-Nu Soybeans, isolated soy protein Non-GMO Project Verified USA Soya milk (strawberry) Soyfresh Soybean extract (85%), corn oil - Malaysia Made From 100% Canadian soybean Panchrattan Namkeen Haldirams Cottonseed oil, corn oil - India Crispy corn snacks Bugles Degermed yellow corn meal - USA (original flavour) Chicken corn coating KFC Corn flour - India (Mingles bucket) Original syrup Aunt Jemima Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) Produced with Genetic USA Engineering Dark corn syrup Karo Corn syrup, refiners syrup Produced with Genetic USA Engineering Pancake syrup original American Garden High fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn syrup - USA Infant foods: 8 Infant formula Similac IQ+ 1 Soy oil - Singapore Soy infant formula Similac Isomil (up to 24 Hydrolysed corn starch, soy protein isolate (15.61%), soy oil - Netherlands (lactose-free infant milk months) substitute, soy infant formula) Follow-up formula for older Enfamil A+ 3 (from 12 to Vegetable oil, low erucic rapeseed oil, corn syrup solids, corn oil - Thailand infants 24 months) Hypoallergenic formula Nutramigen LGG Corn syrup solids, soybean oil, modified corn starch - Netherlands Lactose and sucrose free Dexolac Nusobee Soya Soya oil, soya protein isolate - India infant milk substitute (up to 24 months) Follow-on milk SMA pro 2 Emulsifier (soy lecithin), rapeseed oil - Ireland Hypoallergenic infant Similac Alimentum (from Maltodextrin, soy oil, emulsifier modified corn starch - USA formula birth onwards) Lactose and sucrose free Zerolac Soya protein isolate (16.2%) - India infant milk substitute, type II Protein supplements: 2 Protein supplement for Prosure