Guidance note for sampling food and feed to determine the presence of genetically modified material (Scotland)

Friday 21 December 2007

This supplementary guidance note has been produced by the Novel Foods, Additives and Supplements Division of the Food Standards Agency to provide informal guidance to enforcement authorities for sampling food and feed to determine the presence of genetically modified (GM) material.

Food and feed containing GM material can only be marketed in the EU once a GM variety has been authorised. Food and feed containing material from authorised genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must be labelled to allow consumers to make an informed choice. An exemption to the labelling requirement exists below a threshold of 0.9% for accidental or technically unavoidable presence of a GMO, where operators can demonstrate that adequate measures have been taken to avoid GM material. Material from unauthorised GMOs is not permitted at any level.

The purpose of this document is to provide information regarding best practice for the sampling of food and feed to determine the presence of GM material in accordance with food law and the regulations governing GM food and feed. This document is not a statutory code of practice nor is it a substitute for the regulations and should be read in conjunction with them.