Evaluation of the status of food safety and related regulations in Turkey and the world about genetically modified organisms and their products by qualitative and quantitative methods in forensic science

Increased Genetically Modified (GM) plant production and the widespread trade and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the food and the animal feed markets are questioned about food safety by consumers. There are disputes arising from patent or contamination between GM products producing companies and farmers. For these reasons, GMOs have been the subject of various cases in the areas of public health, environment, and finance. Like many countries, Turkey has regulations about GMOs and its products. GMOs are not allowed in food. But at different times there are news and claims about the presence of GM foods in the market. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current situation by making GMO analyzes in risky product groups. GMO detection and quantification analyses are evaluated within the legal framework. In this study, GMO screening analyses were performed on 35 products from different risky product groups at markets. Risky product groups were selected primarily from products containing corn and soybean. 32 of these are food products, and 3 of them are animal feed samples. Different commercial kits were used to facilitate DNA detection from processed food samples. Because some samples were extremely processed and mixed, the quantity and purity of DNA were low. In such processed samples, the situation of DNA degradation and the presence of PCR inhibitors should be questioned. The analysis was carried out by taking into account these issues and by using appropriate protocols in the study. Positive results were detected in 2 animal feed samples. A food sample was found suspicious, but the repeat analysis was negative.