Tracking genetically modified (GM) rice ingredients in samples of packed rice and food products from the marketplace in India: a pilot study for regulatory compliance

More than 20 genetically modified (GM) food crops including rice have been approved in many countries. GM rice and derived products have not yet been approved in India so they are considered as unauthorized genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country. Therefore it is important to track whether the rice containing food items, available in the marketplace are GMO-free.

A pilot study was conducted to check the GM status of 30 samples of packed rice grains and processed food products with rice as an ingredient, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35 S promoter (P-35 S), nopaline synthase terminator (T-nos), phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase (pat) and cry1Ac gene, which could cover screening for all the globally approved GM rice events.

Based on the results, none of the samples tested were found positive for P-35 S, T-nos, pat and cry1Ac.

The unauthorized presence of GM rice ingredients was not detected in the samples tested. Such studies may further be conducted for the testing of GM ingredients derived from cereals other than rice in the food products imported from the country where GM events of respective cereal crop are approved, as a part of regulatory requirement.