The genetically engineered *Innate* pototo is now being grown in Canada and is approved for consumer sale.

The genetically engineered *Innate* pototo is now being grown in Canada and is approved for consumer sale.
Photo Credit: Submitted by J.R. Simplot via CBC

Genetically modified American potato approved for Canada

After the approval af a genetically modified apple, the non-browning Arctic Apple, in 2015, comes news of another GM food.

This one comes from the Idaho-based American agri-food giant, J.R Simplot company.

This involves the phase-two development of a potato they call the “Innate” potato. The company says it has engineered the potato so it is less likely to bruise and turn brown when cut.

The company says they have also managed to turn off genes which produce the amino acid, asparagine, reducing its presence by about 62 percent.. When fried, such as in potato chips or French fries, this becomes acrylamide, suspected to be a human carcinogen.

In announcing the development and approvals, Simplot says no “foreign” genes were used to create their GM potato.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, (CFIA) and Health Canada announced this week the GM potato is now approved for sale to consumers and to commercial outlets.

As is the case with the Arctic Apple, the Innate potato packaging will not carry any indication it has been genetically engineered.

The potato has been grown experimentally on some Prince Edward Island farms in Canada, but with approval may now be in stores later this fall.

In January, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a second generation of the Innate potato. This version is resistant to potato blight and has a further reduction of asparagine.  The Gen-2 potato will also be submitted to Canadian agencies for review in coming months.

In 2015 the US FDA approved a genetically modified salmon developed in Canada to be marketed to consumers, the first GM  food animal approved for human consumption. The company is also seeking Canadian approval

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