ISO-compliant molecular screening of imported seeds in Lebanon establishes a baseline for national GMO surveillance.

The global expansion of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture continues to raise concerns regarding food safety, biodiversity, and regulatory oversight. Lebanon prohibits the import of Genetically Modified (GM) seeds under its phytosanitary law, yet enforcement has relied mainly on certification from exporting countries rather than independent molecular verification. This study, the first comprehensive molecular screening of imported crop seeds, aimed at evaluating the presence of transgenic constructs and strengthening national biosafety surveillance. A total of 74 commercial seed samples representing seven economically important species were analyzed between 2017 and 2019 using ISO 17,025–accredited protocols and validated real-time PCR assays targeting the commonly used transgenic elements P35S and TNOS. No amplification was observed in maize, cucumber, squash, melon, watermelon, or pepper samples. Several tomato seed samples, however, displayed a late amplification curve for P35S and/or T-NOS, while additional GM sequences tested negative. Following a period marked by financial crisis and regional armed conflicts, publishing our results now is strategic with the formation of a new technical government in Lebanon that is reorganizing national priorities. Our findings establish a critical reference baseline and underscore the urgent need for the formulation of a comprehensive national GMO regulation framework. Our results also serve as a model for developing or reestablishing GMO surveillance systems in countries with emerging biosafety frameworks.