Genetically modified maize and soybean on the Egyptian food market

The results of a survey study on food samples produced from genetically modified soybean and maize collected from the Egyptian market are presented. Forty samples of soybean and 40 samples of maize products have been gathered randomly from markets in Cairo and Giza. The genetic modification was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using official detection methods according to section 35 of the German Foodstuffs Act. Samples were investigated for the presence of material derived from the following genetically modified organisms (GMOs) all of which are approved for food use in Europe: Roundup Ready soybean (RRS) and maize lines Bt176, Bt11, T25 and MON810. In addition, samples were examined in qualitative and quantitative analysis for the presence of material derived from the transgenic maize line StarLink (Aventis) which was approved for animal feed use exclusively in the US. Twenty % of 40 investigated soy samples contained Roundup Ready soybean; 15% of 40 maize samples tested positive for Bt176 and 12.5% positive for Bt11 maize. Furthermore, the presence of StarLink maize could clearly be demonstrated in four samples mixed with Bt176 and Bt11. The percentage of StarLink was less than 1% in quantitative analysis. The maize lines T25 and MON810 were not detected.