United States approves GM salmon for human consumption

However, the FDA explained that it had carefully studied the data submitted by AquaBounty about its GM salmon.

The GM Atlantic salmon is engineered with extra hormone genes from the Pacific Chinook salmon and a “promoter” gene from an eel-like species called the ocean pout.

According to the agency, GMO which was short for “genetically modified organism, ” conveyed an inaccurate and overly broad meaning when applied to food products.

After dragging its feet year after year, the Food and Drug Administration finally conceded the unavoidable scientific reality: AquaBounty Technologies’ genetically engineered Atlantic salmon is safe for human consumption.

And the Center for Food Safety, an environmental-advocacy group, says it will sue the FDA to block the approval of the salmon.

So far, the answer is no. The FDA approved the company to produce these fish in just two locations – one on the east coast of Canada and one in Panama.

“FDA supports voluntary labeling and is providing this guidance to assist manufacturers that wish to voluntarily label their foods as being made with Atlantic salmon or ingredients derived from Atlantic salmon that has or has not been genetically engineered”, the FDA noted on its website.

The FDA said that the genetically engineered Atlantic salmon is “safe to eat”. For those concerned about GMOs, fish labeled “wild caught” salmon would be the best choice. The FDA granted its approval to genetically modified salmon Thursday.

Furthermore, the FDA has determined that the so-called “AquaAdvantage Salmon” is safe to eat, a statement sure to stoke the ire of anti-GMO activists. The FDA notes that these physical barriers “make it extremely unlikely that the fish could escape and establish themselves in the wild”, but also points out that it shouldn’t matter too much anyway: AquAdvantage salmon are reproductively sterile.

Zohar said he agrees on the labeling, saying it should be done so consumers know and won’t stay away from salmon altogether, adding that there is no reason to avoid the new fish.

Friends of the Earth says more than 60 grocery store chains have already promised not to sell the fish – including Safeway, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Aldi and many others. The hotly debated issue has even led celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow to demand labels for all genetically modified food.