Exclude microbial fermentation products containing GMO rDNA residues from GMO legislation
9.4.2022
Question for written answer E-001419/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE)
The European Commission currently takes the view that fermentation products obtained through the use of GMOs, such as certain microbial proteins, are covered by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed if rDNA from the genetically modified organism is still present in the fermentation product. This classification applies regardless of the quantity of rDNA traces. Prof. Dederer[1] argues that this goes against the ‘travaux préparatoires’ and the scope of application of the GMOs Regulation. Microbial fermentation products such as food or animal feed obtained through fermentation using GMOs should be excluded from the Regulation, since the products are not produced from GMOs, but with or using them. The rDNA traces are therefore not ingredients, but residues. Any associated health risks are therefore tackled through specific legislation on, among other things, food additives, feed additives or novel foods.
- 1.Does the Commission share the interpretation that microbial fermentation products containing recombinant DNA (rDNA) from the genetically modified production organism are not, in fact, subject to legislation on GMOs?
- 2.What steps is the Commission taking to support the development and production of microbial proteins?
- [1] Prof. Hans-Georg Dederer, ‘rDNA Traces in Fermentation Products Using Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs), StoffR 3/2021 (Vol. 18), https://doi.org/10.21552/stoffr/2021/3/6.