Abstract

Maize, the second most important genetically modified (GM) crop, and an ingredient in many foodstuffs worldwide. Regulations for both the labeling and the traceability of GMOs in feed chains are coming into force worldwide. To provide consumer's information, labelling for food products containing more than 0.9% of GM material is demanded by the actual EU legislation. Analysis of foods is then essential to detect and quantify GM maize material and verify the compliance with labelling information. For this purpose, reliable and accurate detection methods are a necessity. PCR-based methods are the most common and reliable methods developed thus far. The aim of the present work was to assess the presence of GM maize in a range of processed foods commercialised in Iran from 2016-2017. For this purpose, screening of GM material was carried out by qualitative PCR. According to results, 26% of the samples tested were positive for GMOs. The present study which represents a fast and reliable methodology would provide an overview of the presence and levels of GMOs maize in Iran. While, results demonstrate for the first time the screening for GMOs in foods sold in Iran with a large time scale and wide product scope.