EFSA statement on the fate of recombinant DNA or proteins in meat, milk and eggs from animals fed with GM feed

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on GM food and feed foresees labelling requirements. Decisions on labelling are taken by risk managers with the aim of offering the consumer an informed choice and are outside the scope of EFSA’s work. With the letter of 15 March 2007 (ref. SANCO/E1/SG/cc(2007)D/510144), the European Commission informed EFSA about a petition to label food products (such as meat, milk and eggs) from animals that have been fed with genetically modified feed. There were no references to a potential safety concern or to a risk assessment of an existing GMO product. In this context, however, the Commission was interested in the potential for transgenes or their products to be incorporated into animal tissues or products such as eggs and milk, in view of the fate of recombinant protein and DNA within the gastrointestinal tract of livestock. EFSA was asked to provide a reply and has therefore prepared the following literature survey.