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U.S. FDA approves second-generation genetically engineered potato

Xinhua, January 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a green light to the second-generation Innate potatoes developed by a U.S. company called J. R. Simplot using genetic modification to resist the pathogen responsible for the historic Irish potato famine.

The FDA concluded that the Russet Burbank variety of the second-generation Innate potatoes is not materially different in composition, safety, and other relevant parameters, from any other potato or potato-derived food or feed currently on the market, Simplot said in a statement released Wednesday.

The second-generation potato includes the first generation's reduced bruising and black spot trait and a greater reduction in acrylamide, a chemical that is produced at high temperatures and has been found to be carcinogenic in rodents, the company said.

But it also contains a gene from a South American wild potato species that provides natural resistance to late blight, a disease that is caused by a fungus-like pathogen and responsible for the historic Irish potato famine.

Such a trait can result in a 25 to 45 percent reduction in fungicide applications annually to control the disease, which still has the potential to devastate world potato crops, the company said.

In addition, the second generation potato can also be stored at 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3.33 degrees Celsius) for more than six months without the build-up of sugars.

"Based on these academic estimates, if all Russet Burbank potatoes in the United States had Innate Gen. 2 traits, it is estimated that potato waste (in-field, during storage, packing, retail and foodservice for fresh potatoes) could be reduced by 986 million pounds," the company said.

Simplot said it will still need to complete its registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for these potatoes before introducing them for sale in the U.S. marketplace. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deregulated the same potatoes in August.

Meanwhile, the USDA announced Wednesday it has approved the Snowden variety of the third-generation Innate potatoes, which has low acrylamide potential, reduced black spot bruising and lowered reducing sugars. Enditem