Agricultural News
Genetically Enhanced Apples and Potatoes are Declared Safe and Nutritious by FDA
Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:19:26 CDT
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has evaluated several varieties of genetically engineered apples and potatoes and found them to be as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts.
The FDA evaluated Okanagan's Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples, known as "Arctic Apples."
The agency also evaluated a half dozen varieties of Simplot's genetically engineered potatoes known as "Innate" potatoes.
The apples have a reduced level of enzymes that cause browning associated with cuts and bruises. The potatoes are genetically engineered to reduce the formation of black spot bruises by lowering the levels of certain enzymes.
The potatoes are also engineered to produce less acrylamide that can form in some foods during high-temperature cooking, such as frying. The FDA says acrylamide has been found to be carcinogenic in rodents.
Foods derived from genetically engineered plants must meet the same legal standards, including safety standards, as foods derived from traditional plant breeding methods. To help developers of foods derived from genetically engineered plants comply with their obligations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations, the FDA encourages them to participate in a voluntary consultation process with the agency prior to commercial distribution.
As part of its consultation process, both Okanagan, of British Columbia, Canada, and Simplot, of Boise, Idaho, submitted to the FDA a summary of their safety and nutritional assessments.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service deregulated the apple varieties in February and approved the potato varieties last November.
Click here for the complete FDA release on this declaradion- and links to more details on the FDA evaluation.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
