An Ad Hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology met in late March to discuss a new report entitled Evaluation of allergenicity of genetically modified foods, which was put together by a joint expert consultation panel of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The FAO/WHO panel has come up with a protocol to determine the allergenicity of food derived from recombinant plants (see flowchart). Allergen expert Steve Taylor of the University of Nebraska (Lincoln, NE) says although the protocol is thorough, it may pose some logistical problems for agbiotech firms looking to commercialize GM foods. In particular, he refers to the requirement to screen food with serum samples from patients who are allergic to an organism similar to that from which the recombinant protein is derived (targeted serum screening). “Critics say. . .who's going to have all this serum for people to use for the screening?” says Taylor. A working group is scheduled to meet in Canada at the end of this year to discuss practical implementation of the protocol, which World Trade Organization members will be required to follow if Codex adopts the task force's recommendation at its next meeting in 2003.