Tag: United States

FDA Approves GMO Salmon

Just a few days ago, FDA approved the first genetically modified salmon for mass production. The company that is behind this project is AquaBounty Technologies and they approached FDA with this GMO product back in the 1990s. However, this is the first time FDA gave a green light to GMO salmon. Of course, there are a number of rules and regulations that simply has to be followed, but we will take a closer look at those later on.

So, what exactly is genetically modified salmon? It is clear that the researchers have worked on this project for quite some time now and the simplest answer we can give you is that it is a salmon with the advanced growth hormone that makes this fish develop faster. The hormone was taken from the Pacific Chinook salmon. Genetically modified salmon also has another gene from ocean pout that aids the growth hormone, making it stronger and more effective.

FDA took their time with this one and came to a conclusion that genetically modified salmon made by AquaBounty Technologies does not differ from the standard salmon that is caught in the wilderness. The nutritional values are the same and they came to a conclusion that it is not harmful to humans or animals. But there are a couple of restrictions, such as the place where this new salmon is allowed to be grown.
FDA made it clear that the salmon should be raised only in Canada and Panama. It is not allowed to be released in the nature and the growing process should be done in artificial environment, such as large water tanks. This security measure is obligatory in order to prevent the GMO salmon from mixing up with the standard species. FDA will also be keeping a close eye on the factories themselves and will be checking them out quite often.

CEO of AquaBounty Technologies is convinced that this is a watershed moment in food production and claims that it is the best way to deliver healthy and nourishing foods to the consumers without damaging and polluting the environment, especially the ocean wildlife. But on the other hand, the groups who are against GMO have been very vocal about this FDA decision, which is turning out to be quite thought provoking.

A couple of large grocery food chains have already announced that they will not be selling this type of salmon in their stores. That can be a strong blow to AquaBounty Technologies and their long term plans. Also, the environmentalists are concerned about the possible escape of these genetically modified salmons into the wildlife. AquaBounty’s CEO assured them that the escape scenario is quite unlikely, but the critics remain unconvinced. Also the Center for Food Safety will be suing FDA for giving AquaBounty an approval.

This entire ordeal is turning out to be quite messy and even if you are willing to try the genetically modified salmon for yourself, the chances are you won’t be able to find it in your nearest store. The end result is uncertain and this type of salmon might never reach the United States like AquaBounty has planned.
It seems like FDA approval doesn’t mean much to people right now. Yes, the manufacturers can put GMO labels on their products, but doesn’t mean that the consumers will be purchasing them from the stores. Sure, the advancement of biotechnology is evident and we are capable of improving and modifying various organisms, but it is clear that people are not entirely convinced in the safety of these new products. We simply have to wait and see what will eventually happen to AquaBounty’s salmon if and when it reaches the shelves.

Nestlé Removes GMO Ingredients from Their Ice Cream

The food manufacturing giants have recently announced that they will be removing GMO ingredients from a couple of their ice cream flavors. Nestlé are one of the biggest companies in the world today and the fact that they are actually listening to the demands of their customers who oppose GMO technology is a watershed moment for those who are putting an effort into removing GMO from the best-selling and well known food products.

A large number of consumers have contacted Nestlé demanding the removal of GMO ingredients from six ice cream products. Even though it has taken Nestlé some time to make a final decision, eventually they did reach the verdict and in order to keep their customers satisfied, GMO ingredients will be taken out of all of the requested products.

They released an official statement in which they pointed out that Nestlé Dreyer’s Ice Cream will be updating the ingredients of the following flavors: Edy’s 1, Häagen-Dazs, Outshine, Skinny Cow, Nestlé Ice Cream and Nestlé Drumstick. The focus will be on maintaining the well-known flavors with all new non-GMO ingredients. Therefore, the consumers will remain happy and get the healthiest possible version of their favorite ice cream product.

Nestlé will also closely examine a number of other products in order to determine if they need any modifications when it comes to ingredients. Their scientists will be inspecting over one hundred products and make a decision whether they need updates in terms of removing both GMO ingredients or artificial flavors and colors.

Their efforts should be praised because not many food manufacturers are ready to plunge into this so readily. They mostly ignore the critics and continue to use untested ingredients in their products anyway. Of course, there are plenty of research we need to complete in order to know exactly how GMO products influence our bodies and environment. But there are already so many people who oppose GMO technology and request that the big companies at least put a GMO label on their products.

As a matter of fact, other huge companies such as Kellogg’s and Mars made the announcements in March that they will be following Campbell’s’ steps and start putting GMO warning labels on the products that contain GMO ingredients. This seemed like a huge deal when it first came out, but Nestlé took it to a whole new level with the actual removal of GMO ingredients from their ice creams.

The labels appeared in April of 2016 all around the United States and that decision was rushed after a new GMO law was accepted in Vermont. The manufacturers have decided that it will be impossible to put the labels on their products in Vermont only, so they went big and nationwide and updated both the labels and the packaging of their products in all of the fifty states.

The bar was raised by Nestlé and we are eager to see what the other manufacturers will do in the future regarding the labels. The food production business is obviously very huge and they simply have to listen to the demands of their customers in order to keep them satisfied. If there is a request that an ingredient needs to be closely examined and revised, the large companies take the criticism very seriously and do their best to make further inquiry as soon as possible.

Knowing the ingredients that are in the food you consume is very important and we applaud Nestlé for listening to their customers. It is a big victory for the people who are not fans of GMO and we are sure that there will be more developments with this story in the future.