August 3, 2015
Details
UL Consumer Products has been approved by the Non-GMO Project for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing required for companies to comply with the Non-GMO Project Standard. Approved testing in UL’s Canton MA ISO 17025 accredited laboratory includes qualitative screening for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMO), as well as quantitative testing, using real-time PCR technology. Detection capabilities are available for corn (maize) and soybean raw materials.
Based on detection of fluorescence emitted from a reporter molecule, real-time PCR testing is a highly sensitive and reliable method used in the detection and quantification of nucleic acids. Detection occurs during the accumulation of the PCR product with each cycle of amplification and allows for monitoring of the PCR reaction during early exponential phase.
Why It Matters
The Non-GMO Project works in several different capacities to ensure the availability of non-GMO products and to help support informed choice, and offers North America’s only third-party verification and labeling for non-GMO food and products.
The Non-GMO Project Standard requires analytical testing of seed, crops, ingredients, and products to be performed at critical points in the production chain to verify that the processes and practices employed by participants are adequate to meet Action Thresholds set by the Standard. The Standard allows for a combination of testing methods, with a focus on quantitative PCR analysis by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories.
As defined in Appendix B of the Standard, testing is required on all inputs at risk for GMO contamination, and is not required on finished products, which is generally unreliable and impractical.
How UL Can Help
For more details on UL Consumer Products testing services for the Non-GMO Project, contact QAInfo@ul.com. A UL representative will follow up with you soon.