Genetic transformation of fish is mainly oriented towards the improvement of growth for the benefit of
the aquaculture. Actually, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is the species most transformed to achieve growth
rates quite large compared to the wild. To anticipate the presence of contaminations with GM salmon in
fish markets and the lack of labeling regulations with a mandatory threshold, the proper methods are
needed to test the authenticity of the ingredients. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction
(QRT-PCR) method was used in this study. Ct values were obtained and validated using 15 processed food
containing salmon. The relative and absolute limits of detection were 0.01% and 0.01 ng/ll of genomic
DNA, respectively. Results demonstrate that the developed QRT-PCR method is suitable specifically for
identification of S. salar in food ingredients based on the salmon growth hormone gene 1 (GH1). The processes
used to develop the specific salmon reference gene case study are intended to serve as a model for
performing quantification of Aquadvantage GM salmon on future genetically modified (GM) fish to be
commercialized.