WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Opponents of genetically modified foods are criticizing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for saying genetically modified salmon are safe to eat.
FDA documents just released say salmon raised by Canada's Aqua Bounty Technologies are as safe to eat as other Atlantic salmon, with similar vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday.
Aqua Bounty Technologies began its attempt to have the salmon approved by the FDA 15 years ago. The salmon have been genetically modified to grow twice as fast as other Atlantic salmon.
If the salmon is approved for consumers, it would be the first genetically modified food animal on the market.
Reaction to the release of the FDA documents was swift.
"The United States could be approving a genetically engineered fish with really inadequate data, and ... this opens the door to other genetically engineered animals," said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network.
Some took issue with plans by Aqua Bounty to produce fish outside the United States for American consumers.
"By approving the fish to be raised in Canada and Panama instead of the U.S., the FDA is sidestepping a full assessment of the environmental risks," said Jaydee Hanson of the U.S.-based Center for Food Safety.
Groups opposed to selling the salmon in the U.S. say they hope to stall the FDA approval process at public meetings set to start in 10 days.
