One European laboratory scored full marks in a recent US proficiency programme to test abilities to detect genetically-modified soya and maize
Reading Scientific Services has recently scored 100% in an international proficiency test organised by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Gipsa (Grain Inspectors, Packers and Stockyards Administration) Proficiency Program is designed to assess the ability of laboratories to detect contamination of soya and maize with genetically modified (GM) varieties.
RSSL says the 100% results provide independent back-up of its claim to be the leading UK lab for GM detection.
RSSL was the only European laboratory identified as having achieved a 100% result on all tests carried out.
It also proves RSSL's ability to detect varieties of GM corn such as Starlink, which are unapproved for use in Europe.
The Gipsa proficiency program involved testing 15 different samples of corn (maize), and three different samples of soya.
Each sample had the potential to contain no GM varieties, or a combination of one or more varieties.
RSSL's scientists were able to identify with 100% accuracy which samples did and did not contain GM varieties.
In the case of soya, this meant identifying one GM variety (round-up ready soya).
In the case of the corn samples, RSSL was able to identify which of four possible GM varieties (CBH351, MON810, E176, Bt11) were present in any given sample.
Commenting on his laboratory's performance, Andrew Tingey of RSSL said: "Our participation in proficiency programmes of this kind is essential in order to verify that we are maintaining the highest standards, and to demonstrate to clients that our methods are robust and accurate.
The whole GM issue has already created doubt and confusion with some consumers and some food manufacturers, and this confusion must not be compounded by unreliable test results.
The industry needs to be confident that laboratories will bring clarity to the question of whether its ingredients contain GM varieties or not, and if so, what those varieties are. Our performance in the GIPSA proficiency program demonstrates RSSL's ability to answer these questions accurately."
