GMO Labeling and Detection Methods

1
GMO Labeling and Detection Methods in Japan.
Takeshi MATSUOKA IAI Center for Food Quality,
Labeling and Consumer Services
2
Current Status of Commercialization of
Transgenic Crop Plants in Japan
(July. 2001)
35 kinds of GM crops are available for market
1 Herbicide Tolerant Soybean 1 High Oleic
Soybean 2 Insect Resistant Corn 5 Herbicide
Tolerant Corn 3 Insect Resistant and Herbicide
tolerant Corn 14 Herbicide Tolerant Canola 2
Insect Resistant Potato 4 Herbicide Tolerant
Cotton 2 Insect Resistant Cotton 1 Herbicide
Tolerant Beet
3
Labeling System for GMO Foods in Japan
Law Japan Agriculture Standards Law(MAFF)
Food Sanitation Law(MHLW) Purpose of labeling
providing information as a consumers
right Enforcement April, 2001

• Extent of labeling
• Food and Food ingredients from GM crops which
  have been assessed for safety by government.
• A food made chiefly from a GM crop, which is
  among the top three of all ingredients in weight,
  and not less than 5 in the food.
• Five transgenic crops and the 24 kinds of
  processed foods derived from the crops.

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Content of Labeling and Implementation

• Labeling categories (e.g. soybean)
• Soybean (genetically modified)
• Soybean (genetically modified soybean NOT
  segregated)
• Soybean (non genetically modified or segregated
  from genetically modified soybean)

• Definition of non genetically modified products
• Food produced from non genetically modified
  varieties which are distributed by Identity
  Preserved handling channels.
• Unintentional mixing is inevitable and acceptable
  when proper confirmation has been done.

Threshold 5 for soy and maize
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Designated Processed Foods in Labeling System for
GMO
13. Processed food made from soy protein 14.
Processed food made from green soybean 15.
Processed food made from soybean sprout 16. Corn
snack 17. Corn starch 18. Popcorn 19. Frozen
corn 20. Canned or bottled corn 21. Processed
food made from corn flour 22. Processed food made
from corn grits 23. Processed food made from corn
24. Processed food made from 1620
1. Tofu 2. Frozen-tofu, yuba and other tofu
products 3. Natto 4. Soy milk 5. Miso paste 6.
Boiled soybeans 7. Canned or bottled soybeans 8.
Soy powder 9. Roasted soybeans 10. Processed
food made from 19 11. Processed food made from
soybeans 12. Processed food made from soy powder
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JAS Analytical HandbookManuals of Inspection
and Analysis for GM-Foods

• Purpose
• Monitoring by the Center for Food Quality,
  Labeling and Consumer Service
• Sampling
• DNA Extraction
• Qualitative PCR
• Quantitative PCR
• Prevention Measurements of Contamination

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MHLW Guidelines of Inspection Methods for GMO
Foods Analysis

• (for GMO reviewed safety assessment)
• same contents as JAS Analytical Handbook
• Purpose
• Monitoring of labeling by Quarantine Offices
  and Prefectural Health Services
• (for GMO not reviewed safety assessment)
• Purpose
• Monitoring and prevention of imports by
  Quarantine Offices
• (targets virus resistant papaya, virus and
  insect resistant potato and StarLink corn)