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.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service deregulated the apple varieties in February and approved the potato varieties last November.
Source: www.brownfieldagnews.com