Mar 22, 2016Innate GM potatoes approved in Canada
Health Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have completed their respective food and feed safety assessments of the J.R. Simplot Company‘s first generation of Innate potatoes. Health Canada concluded that it had no objection to the sale of food derived from Innate potatoes. This means Simplot’s Innate Generation 1 potatoes can be sold in the Canadian marketplace beginning in 2016. Last year, the potatoes received corresponding regulatory approvals in the United States and have been grown and sold in the U.S. fresh market under the White Russet brand.
In addition, CFIA determined that these potatoes are as safe and as nutritious as traditional potato varieties” for use as livestock feed, and that the potatoes do not present increased risk to the environment when compared to currently cultivated potato varieties in Canada.
Simplot’s Innate Gen. 1 potatoes have two benefits relevant to potato growers, processors and consumers, according to Simplot: reduced bruising and black spots, and reduced asparagine which leads to less acrylamide when the potatoes are cooked at high temperatures. These benefits were achieved by adapting genes from wild and cultivated potatoes to improve Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Atlantic potato varieties, the company said.
Simplot research demonstrates that the Innate bruise reduction trait can result in up to 44 percent less bruising, and reduce black spots and browning, Simplot said. The reduction in asparagine means that accumulation levels of acrylamide can be reduced from 52-69 percent when these potatoes are cooked at high temperatures, according to the company.
If all fresh Russet potatoes in Canada had Innate Gen. 1 traits, academics estimate that potato waste (in-field, during storage, packing, retail and foodservice for fresh potatoes) could be reduced by 400 million kilograms, the company said. In addition, Simplot said CO2 emissions could be reduced by 30 million kilograms, water usage reduced by 5.6 Billion liters, and a total of 15,000 fewer pesticide hectare-applications would be needed.
For more information: http://www.SimplotPlantSciences.com
Comparison of peeled Innate Russet Burbank (foreground)
to conventional peeled Russet Burbank after 30 minutes.
Photo: Simplot
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