UK: Honey comes under spotlight

The UK's leading commercial laboratory for GM testing has moved to quell consumer fears about GM pollen in honey. Recent news stories about cross contamination of non-GM and GM rape seed have raised concerns that bees could be visiting GM plants without the hive owner realising."We have been able to test for GM rape seed for over a year," says Ray Gibson of Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL). "Our tests of honey produced in the UK have not yielded any detectable levels of GM rape seed pollen. However, the recent headlines do highlight a genuine concern and producers and users of honey should not be complacent. If they want to be sure their supplies are GM free the only way to prove it is to test." RSSL uses highly sophisticated DNA technology that can accurately detect one GM rape seed in a batch of a thousand non-GM seeds. The same testing technology can be used to detect GM rape seed in rape meal (used in animal feeds) and to test for many other GM crops, including all varieties of GM soya and maize. The method can be applied to raw materials or to finished food products with excellent accuracy and sensitivity.Press contact:Graeme Coulam19 Ashton PlaceKintburyHungerfordBerks, RG17 9XS. Tel: +44 (0)1488 657083 Fax : +44 (0)1488 608147email: gc.insider-dealing@lineone.netRSSL contact:Andrew TingeyRSSLLord Zuckerman Research CentrePO Box 234WhiteknightsReadingBerks, RG6 6LA. Tel : +44 (0)118 986 8541 Fax : +44 (0)118 986 8932 email : custserv@rssl.co.uk