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Volume I of this series compiles the science-based consensus documents of the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds from 2002 to 2008. They contain information for use during the regulatory assessment of food/feed products of modern biotechnology, i.e. developed from transgenic crops. Relevant information includes compositional considerations (nutrients, anti-nutrients, toxicants, allergens), use of the plant species as food/feed, key products and components suggested for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use, and other elements. These documents should be of value to applicants for commercial uses of novel foods and feeds, regulators and risk assessors in national authorities for their comparative approach, as well as the wider scientific community.

From their first commercialisation in the mid-1990s, genetically engineered crops (also known as transgenic crops) have been increasingly approved for cultivation, and for entering in the composition of foods or feeds, by a number of countries. To date, genetically engineered varieties of over 25 different plant species (including agricultural crops, flowers and trees) have received regulatory approvals in OECD and non-OECD countries from all regions of the world. Up to now, the large majority of plantings remain for soybean, maize, cotton and rapeseed (canola), as outlined in the OECD’s The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda. Over the 19-year period from 1996 to 2014, the surface area grown with transgenic crops worldwide has constantly raised, resulting in a significant increase of their harvested commodities used in foods and feeds (often designated as “novel” foods and feeds). This is highlighted in analyses and statistics from several sources which, despite some differences in total estimates, all concur in underlining the general increasing trend in volumes produced, number of countries involved and growth potential.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Finland, Germany and the United States as lead countries, deals with the composition of barley (Hordeum vulgare). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on barley production, classification, uses and processing, followed by quality criteria, elements for comparative analyses and characteristics screened by breeders. Then nutrients in barley and its products, anti-nutrients and other compounds are detailed. The final sections suggest key products and constituents for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Sweden as the lead country, deals with the composition of cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods derived from new varieties. Background is given on Agaricus bisporus domestication, production, consumption, processing, appropriate varietal comparators and characteristics screened by breeders. Then Agaricus bisporus nutrients, anti-nutrients and toxicants are detailed. The final sections suggest key constituents for analysis of new varieties for food use (feed use of cultivated mushroom being rare and not requiring additional studies).

This document constitutes the first volume of the OECD Series on Novel Food and Feed Safety. It is a compendium collating in a single issue the individual “consensus documents” published by the Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds from 2002 to 2008. The second volume of the series will cover the documents issued from 2009 to 2014.

This chapter was prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Canada and the United Kingdom as lead countries. It addresses considerations in the safety assessment of genetically modified feeds derived from crops, based on the scientific issues involved. Sections include information on genetically modified plants used as animal feed, assessment of genetically modified feedstuffs, the fate of DNA and protein in animal feeding, animal feeding studies as part of a safety assessment, post-market surveillance/monitoring, by-products of industrial crops, and future genetically modified feedstuffs with the question of agronomic versus quality traits.

This chapter contains guidance for the designation of a Unique Identifier for transgenic plants developed by the OECD Working Group on Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology, published in 2002 and further revised 2006 to cover plants with several “stacked” traits. The Unique Identifier is a nine-digit alphanumeric code based on the transformation event, with a single digit for verification. Assigned by the developer of the genetically engineered product, the Unique Identifier also contains the applicant identification. OECD unique identifiers are used as “keys” to access information on genetically engineered organisms approved for commercial application contained in the OECD BioTrack Product Database and interoperable systems such as the CBD Biosafety Clearing House, the FAO GM Foods Platform and other databases from public and private sectors worldwide.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Australia as the lead country, deals with the composition of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on wheat production, classification, uses and processing, followed by quality criteria and elements for comparative analyses. Nutrients in wheat and its products, anti-nutrients, allergens and other compounds are then detailed. The final sections suggest the key products and constituents for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Japan as the lead country, deals with the composition of rice (Oryza sativa). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. After some background on rice production and processing, nutrients and anti-nutrients are detailed. The final sections suggest the key products and parameters for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use. Note: This chapter is currently being revised by the Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds; an updated document on rice composition is expected to be available in the course of 2015. The updated version will be made available on the BioTrack Website at www.oecd.org/biotrack

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Canada and the United Kingdom as lead countries, deals with the composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and other temperate forage legumes which are important in animal feeds. It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of feeds (and foods) derived from new varieties. Background is given on alfalfa (lucerne) production, processing and characteristics screened by breeders. Then alfalfa nutrients, anti-nutrients and secondary metabolites are detailed, followed by key products and compositional parameters suggested for analysis of new varieties for feed use and for food use. It also provides information on other forage legumes (clovers, trefoil, sainfoin, vetch, other species) and their key components.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Germany as the lead country, deals with the composition of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on growing, processing and use of sugar beet and derived products. Then key nutrients and anti-nutrients are detailed for sugar beet roots, sugar, pulp and molasses. Relevant nutrients of sugar beet for animal feed use are suggested, followed by considerations for the assessment of new varieties.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with a leading group comprising France (chair), Canada, Germany, Sweden and the United States, deals with the composition of sunflower (Helianthus annuus). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on sunflower origin, production, processing, appropriate varietal comparators and characteristics screened by breeders. Then nutrients in sunflower and its products, anti-nutrients and toxicants are detailed. The final sections suggest key products and components for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with the Netherlands and the United States as lead countries, deals with the composition of maize (Zea mays). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on maize production and processing, followed by appropriate varietal comparators and characteristic screened by breeders. Then nutrients in maize and its products, anti-nutrients, allergens and secondary metabolites are detailed. The final sections suggest key products and constituents for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use.

The OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds (Task Force) was established in 1999, with primary goals to promote international regulatory harmonisation in the risk and safety assessment of biotechnology products among member countries.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Germany as the lead country, deals with the composition of potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on production, human and animal consumption, and industrial uses of potatoes. Key food and feed nutrients, toxins, allergens and antinutrients are then detailed, followed by considerations suggested for the assessment of new potato varieties.

This chapter, prepared by the OECD Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds with Greece as the lead country, deals with the composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). It contains elements that can be used in a comparative approach as part of a safety assessment of foods and feeds derived from new varieties. Background is given on tomato production, processing, uses, appropriate varietal comparators and characteristics screened by breeders. Then nutrients in tomato (of different colours) and its products, toxicants and allergens are detailed. The final sections suggest key constituents for analysis of new varieties for food use and for feed use.