FDA Bans Import of Genetically Engineered Salmon

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning forbidding the import of genetically engineered (GE) salmon, months after the approval of the first of these animals as safe to eat.

The import alert allows the Agency to comply with the bill FY 2016 funds buses President Obama signed into law in December. The law requires the FDA to block imports of GM salmon until the agency issues final guidance which requires foods derived from transgenic salmon to be labeled as such.

The law also requires the FDA to allocate at least $ 150,000 in funding for the development and implementation of directives "disclose to consumers if the salmon [is] genetically".

In November, the FDA approved AquAdvantage salmon AquaBounty Technologies after two decades of deliberation. Genetically modified salmon is growing faster than GE Atlantic salmon and not reach the market in 18 months instead of the typical three years.

"After a rigorous review, the FDA determined that AquAdvantage food is as safe and nutritious food to eat that no GE Atlantic salmon," said Dr. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA Veterinary Center. As part of the approval, AquaBounty only allowed to produce salmon in two facilities, one farm in Canada and growth center in Panama.

The agency also conducted an environmental assessment to ensure that there would be no significant impact on the environment AquAdvantage approval.

Orientation and controversy

Along with the approval, the FDA also issued draft guidelines that would make food labeling of genetically modified salmon voluntary for companies. This is the policy of the agency longstanding labeling of foods derived from genetically modified plants.

However, the approval and the council was very controversial, drawing criticism from several politicians and advocates of anti-GMO. Among them, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), placed a hold on the confirmation procedure to appoint Robert Califf to be the next commissioner of the FDA, unless the FDA reversed its position on the labeling of products, such.

Murkowski called import alert "a big step" in the fight against "Frankenstein," a term coined by opponents of transgenic salmon.

AquaBounty CEO Ronald Stotish said the alert will not affect the operations of the company as yet salmon imported into the United States, noting that "the FDA is working to complete the guidelines" as provided by the spending program.

Under the import alert all consignments suspected of containing transgenic salmon to be kept and transmitted to the local address FDA compliance District.

FDA had already launched the same import alert for all seafood from aquaculture through unapproved new animal drugs for several companies in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan and Vietnam.