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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did something monumental today, and it could change everything.
According to U.S. News, the FDA "approved the genetically engineered foods as safe, saying they are as nutritious as their conventional counterparts."
In case you aren't aware, genetically engineered foods, also known as genetically modified organisms (or GMO), refers to "food grown from seeds that are genetically engineered in a lab."
The FDA has approved "six varieties of potatoes by Boise, Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Co. and two varieties of apples from the Canadian company Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc."
Reportedly, these new "modified" potatoes (they go by the name "Innate") won't bruise, and the "modified" apples (also known as "Arctic Apples") will not brown.
It is unclear whether or not they will advertise that these apples and potatoes are genetically modified, especially since they are not currently legally obligated to. Still, it will be a while before customers will see these products in stores.
According to ABC News, "The company has about 400 acres of Innate potatoes in storage from the 2014 harvest that it plans to deliver to growers, packers and shippers to be sent to a tightly-controlled network for use in small-scale test markets."
Surprisingly, there is one company that gets their potatoes from Simplot that simply will not use the newly-approved GMO potatoes: McDonald's.
"McDonald's USA does not source GMO potatoes nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing practice," the company said in a statement Friday.
Burger King and Wendy's, on the other hand, declined to comment.
What do you think about this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2008 Anthony Thomas Bueta/Flickr
