Nov 11, 2014Simplot’s Innate varieties achieve federal milestones
The first two generations of the J.R. Simplot Company’s genetically engineered (GE) Innate potato varieties achieved individual federal milestones.Generation one received a determination of nonregulated status from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
The APHIS document has been published in the Federal Register on and is available online.
The first generation of Simplot’s Innate potatoes includes Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Atlantic.
The three GE varieties were developed with the following traits: reduced black spot from bruising,; reduced asparagine and reduced sugars.
According to a Simplot press release, the company expects to license Innate potatoes in 2015 to select partners for test markets after completion of the FDA review process.
We respect the review process and believe we’ll have it in several weeks,” said Doug Cole, Simplot director of company marketing and public relations, about the FDA review process.
John Keeling, executive vice president and CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC), said that the NPC supports the incorporation of technology when that technology is proven to be safe.
“We understand consumer concerns,” Keeling said. “We expect the marketplace to be able to provide consumers information so that they can make the choice to consume or not to consume. That’s why we support an identity preservation system so that people would know where things were in the pipeline.”
Keeling said that the NPC would like to see standardized, voluntary labeling for foods and avoid regulations that differ from state to state.
“We support voluntary labeling where the federal government sets the regulations,” Keeling said. “The labeling would be standardized so it would be meaningful for consumers.”
With generation one varieties about to reach commercial production, APHIS is seeking public comment on Simplot’s petition for a determination of nonregulated status for its generation two varieties.
The Innate Russet Burbank is the first variety submitted to APHIS for public comment. Additional Innate varieties Ranger Russet, Atlantic and Snowden will be submitted to APHIS for public comment in subsequent months.
The second generation Innate varieties will have the first generation traits of low black spot bruise, no browning and low asparagine and the new traits of late blight resistance and colder storage without increasing sugar levels in potatoes.
Read Simplot’s petition for nonregulated status of its Innate Russet Burbank on this APHIS website.
Public comments can be made online at this APHIS website.
The public comment period ends on January 9, 2015.
“
