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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(8)

Honey produced from genetically modified canola (Brassica napus) nectar will not need to be labelled as a GM food under current Australian guidelines

M. Hornitzky A B and A. Ghalayini A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: michael.hornitzky@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(8) 1101-1104 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04205
Submitted: 29 September 2004  Accepted: 24 January 2005   Published: 5 July 2006

Abstract

Food or ingredients labelled as genetically modified (GM) contain either new genetic material or protein as a result of genetic modification. In Australia, a 1% threshold, below which labelling is not required, exists for the unintended presence of GM material in non-GM foods. The canola pollen content by dry weight in a range of canola honey samples from diverse geographical areas in Australia was determined to be 0.2 ± 0.12%, well below the 1% threshold. Two GM canola honey samples sourced from Canada contained 0.19 and 0.24% of canola pollen. This work indicates honey derived from GM canola crops will not need to be labelled as a GM food.

Additional keywords: Brassica napus, canola, honey, honey bees, pollen.


Acknowledgments

We thank the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation for funding (Project No. DAN-218A). We also thank the beekeepers, Capilano Honey and Rob Manning for submitting honey samples and Idris Barchia for the statistical analysis.


References


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Anon.  (2003) Agrifood awareness Australia. Paper No 14. GM canola, pollen, bees and honey. Available at http://www.afaa.com.au (verified 24 May 2006)

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