Genetically Modified Salmon Approved by Health Canada and CFIA

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A genetically modified salmon has passed the final scientific assessments needed to be sold in Canada.

The salmon, named AquAdvantage, was developed by introducing a growth hormone gene from chinook salmon into atlantic salmon to promote rapid, early-life growth.

Today, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced that the salmon was found to be just as safe and nutritious as conventional salmon in “thorough and rigorous scientific reviews” that assessed it for food and livestock feed use.

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have completed thorough and rigorous scientific reviews of AquAdvantage Salmon (a genetically modified [GM] salmon) for food and livestock feed use and determined that it is as safe and nutritious for humans and livestock as conventional salmon.

AquAdvantage Salmon passed Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s environmental and indirect human health risk assessment and the United States Food and Drug Administration’s scientific safety review, in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Since no health or safety concerns were identified, Health Canada requires no special labelling for the salmon.

The salmon was developed by AquaBounty Technologies.

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