Genetically modified (GM) plants used for food and to feed can only be marketed in Europe through a preliminary authorisation following a scientific assessment of any risk that they may pose to human and animal health. This authorisation includes an allergenicity assessment performed according to Regulation (EC) No 503/2013.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has submitted to public consultation its draft guidance on allergenicity assessment of genetically modified (GM) plants.
EFA, in consultation with the Members of the EFA Food Allergy Working Group, has responded to the consultation that could be summarised into three specific areas:
EFA replied to the open consultation on allergenicity assessment of genetically modified plants published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
- EFA advices to increase EU research investment on allergens and allergies can be improve the prevention and protection of patients with allergies independently of the origin of the food ingredients
- EFA suggests the development of an international model/protocol accepted to perform gastrointestinal in vitro digestibility tests for purified proteins
- EFA welcomes European mandate to develop standards and test methods for the quantification of endogenous allergens, which will be useful to enhance measurement comparability between different approaches such as ELISA or MS
EFA will also participate in the next follow up meeting held by EFSA, Unit on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), which will take place on November 23rd in Parma. In this occasion, the outcome of the public consultation will be discussed as well as new possible approaches.
The complete consultation can be found here.
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