19/11/05 EMB Workshop for GM Food, Food Labeling & Food Additives Lai K. Leung, PhD Food & Nutritional Sciences Programme ( Biochemistry Department) MSc Programme in Nutrition, Food Science and Technology Diploma/Certificate in Food & Nutritional Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong

19/11/05 GM Food DefinitionDefinition: –A food product containing some quantity of any genetically modified organism (GMO) as an ingredient.

19/11/05 GM Food Common GM Food in the marketCommon GM Food in the market: –Rice –Soybean –Corn –Tomato PurposePurpose: –Securing food supply (fast- growing; resistant to temp/virus/insecticide) –Economic factor –Nutrient enrichment

19/11/05 GM Food TechniqueTechnique: VECTOR

19/11/05 GM Food HistoryHistory: –1 st GMF in the US market – tomato produced by Calgene in 1994; flavor not desirable, pulled out in –Monsanto & USDA in 1998  patent on a technique for genetic seed sterilization (self- destruction of offspring); withdrawal due to public opposition.

19/11/05 GM Food Hong KongHong Kong: –No farmers using GM technique. –Research performed at the Univ. level. –No specific regulation for GM food sale. –Public consultation on GM food labeling in –An impact assessment conducted in –2003, difficulties were identified in mandatory GM food labeling. –The Govm’t’s initiative: only safe GM food are sold.

19/11/05 GM Food Testing systemTesting system: Polymerase Chain Reaction

19/11/05 GM Food IssuesIssues: –Benefits (↑productivity & quality; ↓cost) –Potential hazards (food allergy; jeopardized flora & fauna biodiversity; delayed response for long term consumption) –Consumers’ right?

19/11/05 Food Labeling (FL) FL provides the info for calculating the nutritional values. It consists of percentages of the Daily Values. Assist individuals to pursue a healthy dietary pattern. Chronic disease prevention and gov’t budget implication.

19/11/05 Food Labeling (FL) The Daily Values: –Developed by FDA on FL for simplifying the calculation of intake. –The % based on a 2000-kcalorie and/or kcalorie diet. –2000 kcalorie diet: about right for moderately active women, teenage girls, and inactive men. –2500 kcalorie diet: about right for men, teenage boys, and active women.

19/11/05 Food Labeling (FL) Nutrient claims: –Claims must be coherent physiologically. –e.g. “cholesterol-free” claim has to satisfy <2 mg of chol and also ≤ 2 g of saturated fat per serving. Health Claims –Related to a disease or health condition (most people/specific population are at risk). –Supported by scientific evidence.

19/11/05 ABC News Recent food labeling issues in the US: –ABC News Watchdog Group Calls Out Food Products Mislabeled 'Healthy'.htmABC News Watchdog Group Calls Out Food Products Mislabeled 'Healthy'.htm

19/11/05 Food Additives ‘Any substance that affects the characteristics of any food.’ –Coloring agents –Sweeteners –MSG, etc. Food Toxicology

19/11/05 Food Toxicity Definition: –“the capacity of a substance to cause adverse health effects on a living organism.” –Paracelsus commented in the 15 th century, “All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy.”

19/11/05 Food Additives Purpose: –Product consistency, texture, etc. –Nutrition value –Storage –Taste, attractiveness.

19/11/05 For sweetness without the taking in that much calories as sugar. US FDA approved sweeteners 1.Aspartame 2.Saccharin 3.Sugar alcohols 4.Acesulfame-K 5.sucralose

19/11/05 Acesulfame-K “... acetoacetamide, a breakdown product, has been shown to affect the thyroid in rats, rabbits, and dogs. Administration of 1% and 5% acetoacetamide in the diet for three months caused benign thyroid tumors in rats. The rapid appearance of tumors raises serious questions about the chemical carcinogenic potency."

19/11/05 Saccharin It causes bladder cancer in rats, but the dosage is too high (equivalent to hundreds of cans of diet drinks per day).

19/11/05 Cyclamate Not approved yet. It causes bladder cancer in rats.

19/11/05 Issues to be addressed Projects can be focused on: Environmental impact. How to implement? What are the potential difficulties? Identify the ‘losers’ of any of these new policies. Are we overly cautious? What are the new opportunities?

19/11/05 My recommendation Grade the project as essays with science elements. Not scientific papers.