Division 1.3.3 Selection of material and compounds for analysis

Analysis of the composition of plant material is crucial when comparing the genetically modified food and feed with its conventional counterpart. The material to be used for the comparative assessment shall be selected while taking into account the uses of the genetically modified plant and the nature of the genetic modification. In the case of herbicide tolerant genetically modified plants, three test materials shall be used: the genetically modified plant exposed to the intended herbicide; the conventional counterpart treated with conventional herbicide management regimes; and the genetically modified plant treated with the same conventional herbicide management regimes. Unless duly justified, analysis shall be carried out on the raw agricultural commodity, as this usually represents the main point of entry of the material into the food and feed production and processing chain. Additional analysis of processed products (such as food and feed, food ingredients, feed materials, food and feed additives or food flavourings) shall be conducted, where appropriate and on a case-by-case basis (see also Section 1.3.6). The sampling, analysis and preparation of the tested material shall be carried out according to appropriate quality standards.