The aim of our study was to evaluate the present
situation of the food products that Turkish consumers eat. The effect of regulatory monitoring on the
ratio of GMO-positive samples was also evaluated by screening products both before and after the
regulation came into force. The screening of the products was based on detection of the CaMV 35S
promoter and the nos terminator by PCR. According to our results, 25% of the samples tested were
positive for GMOs. However, the ratio of positive samples decreased after the regulations came into force.
These results demonstrate for the first time the screening for GMOs in foods sold in Turkey with a large
time scale and wide product scope.