abstract
The real and/or perceived risks of genetically modified organisms (GMO) prompted food safety regula-
tors to label the GM products. Although there are no legislations on GM labeling and cultivation of GM
crops in the UAE, the present study aims to monitor the status of GM foods in the UAE market using Light
cycler real time PCR technology and GMO screening kit. The yield and purity of DNA extracted by CTAB
method was higher when compared to Qiagen plant kit with an exception of soya products for which
Qiagen kit yielded better results.
Out of 128 samples tested, 16 were positive for plant, 35S promoter and Tnos fragment. In conclusion,
GMO screening assay applied in this study confirms the presence of genetically modified food in the UAE
market. The rapidly growing GM market with multiple events and the threat from unapproved events
signifies the value of surveillance program for monitoring the status of GM foods.