The EU has declared that the likelihood of the transfer of the antibiotic resistance gene from the Novartis maize to bacteria in the gut of animals or humans is very remote. However, since the antibiotic resistance gene provides no direct benefit to the cultivation of maize, it is believed that these types of genes should be removed from genetically modified plants, before they are developed for commercialisation. The UK imports most of its maize and maize derived ingredients from Europe and South America. Genetically modified maize is used in the same way as conventional maize. Maize is processed for use in human food and to produce gluten feed for animals.
Processing destroys any gene fragments present in the grain.
In Europe, the new varieties of genetically modified maize have been approved following a rigorous assessment by the European Commission. The regulatory authorities in the US, Canada and Japan have also declared these new maize varieties safe. The processed products and ingredients made from genetically modified maize are equivalent to conventional maize from the perspective of safety, nutritional value and processing characteristics. Refined corn oil is not required to be labelled as it does not contain modified DNA or modified protein and is identical to oil produced from conventional maize. Supplies of maize that have not been mixed with the genetically modified variety have been selected, to ensure consumer choice.