The present study was carried out to ascertain the genetic status of soybean and maize crops introduced in Algeria and to test local and imported products containing maize and soybean for the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMO into the food and feed chain). Samples from crops and processed food products were selected, randomly sampled and screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the 35S cauliflower mosaic virus promoter (P35S CaMV) and the Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase (nos) terminator, commonly found in transgene cassettes. Results showed that GMOs were absent in all crop samples, but present in 29 food and feed samples. These analyses are discussed for the efficiency of the Algerian regulation and the absence of labelling and traceability mechanisms within the country.
DISCUSSION
...This work is the first contribution in Algeria on the presence of GMO in crops and food products. Results show the absence of GMO in crops and seeds but their presence in 29 samples of foodstuffs. Further studies are needed to quantify the amount of GMOs that are present in the food products throughout the Algerian market. For that purpose, genetically modified products in food commodities should be checked and controlled to comply with the EU and international regulations that enforce labelling of food when GMO presence is higher than 0.9%. Although some countries might be tolerant with GMOs presence in food, the precaution principle is thought to be applied for as long the risk for human health on the long run is not known.
Our results suggest that, to comply as well with the national regulation, genetically modified material detection and monitoring plans are necessary to control the distribution of unlabelled GM- containing foods and feed in the Algerian market. For an effective management of the genetically modified organisms and in order to set up a national
Qualitative detection of genetically modified material in crops and food products containing maize and soybean in Algeria policy which can face the transnational movement of both agricultural and food product, Algeria must set up a regulation which include labelling and traceability and a detection methodology with homogenized protocols and adapted techniques used in routine.
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