A survey of genetically modified maize in the Portuguese market

During the past decade, the development of biotechnology has revolutionised agriculture by the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMO) with characteristics of agronomic interest. Despite the controversies surrounding GMO, the production of transgenic crops is increasing, especially in developing countries [1]. Maize, the second most important GM crop, has the highest number of authorised transgenic events for food and feed in EU. Since the GMO entered the food chain, the EU has dedicated special attention to consumer information by requiring a compulsory labelling for food products containing more than 0.9% of GM material (Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003). The need to monitor and verify the presence of low levels of biotechnology-derived material in complex food products demands sensitive and highly specific analytical methods. The most accepted methods for GMO detection and quantification are based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), since protein-based assays are not suitable for processed food [2].

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