HALIFAX – The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has approved the production and sale of the first genetically modified salmon for human consumption.
AquaBounty said in a statement today that it has won approval for its AquAdvantage salmon, an Atlantic salmon that has been genetically engineered at a plant in P.E.I. to mature more quickly than conventional farmed fish.
READ MORE: Genetically modified ‘Arctic Apple’ approved by Health Canada
The decision comes years after the U.S.-based company applied for the permission to sell its fish to consumers, drawing criticism from some who say there is too much uncertainty about the health of the product.
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AquaBounty has received approval from Environment Canada for the production of Atlantic salmon fish eggs at its hatchery in Prince Edward Island, which is the subject of a Federal Court case filed by three environmental groups.
Health Canada has also confirmed that the department is reviewing the safety of AquaBounty’s genetically modified salmon as a food source.
To date, it said no genetically modified animal has received approval for human consumption in Canada.
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