18-1

P. BERRY-OTTAWAY, Scientific and Legal Food Consultant, Berry-Ottaway and Associates, Ltd, The Cedars, St Margaret's Road, Hereford HR1 1TS, United Kingdom

Within the European Union there have been official controls on the use and release of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) since 1990. In addition,legislation adopted in early 1997 provides for an official review and approval for all proposed foods and food ingredients containing or derived from GMO’s. In theory, no GMO or by-product of GM technology should have entered the European food chain since 1997 without official approval. There are proposals for official review and approval of all food additives, including colours and sweeteners, which are derived from GMOs.

A number of additives produced by fermentation technology where the original fermentation organisms have been replaced by GMOs will be affected by these proposals.

One of the major scientific issues affecting the legislation is the increasing requirement for validated methods for the detection and quantification of both protein and DNA in foods, ingredients and additives.