The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its determination that genetically engineered (GE) salmon produced by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., is as safe to eat as conventional salmon and will have little effect on the environment. Containing genes from Pacific Chinook salmon and ocean pout that accelerate growth and maturation, AquAdvantage® salmon is the first GE animal approved for human consumption. After spending more than a decade reviewing data on food safety and environmental impacts, the agency apparently concluded that (i) “the inserted genes remained stable over several generations of fish,” (ii) “food from the GE salmon is safe to eat by humans and animals,” (iii) “the genetic engineering is safe for the fish,” and (iv) “the salmon meets the sponsor’s claim about faster growth.” FDA also found that the multiple containment measures taken by land-based production facilities are sufficient to prevent the fish from mixing with wild populations.…
Category Archives Issue 585
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced the latest developments in civil and criminal actions taken against 117 dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors as the result of a year-long investigation into allegedly tainted products. According to a November 17, 2015, DOJ press release, an 11-count indictment alleges that weight-loss and workout supplement manufacturer USPlabs LLC “engaged in a conspiracy to import ingredients from China using false certificates of analysis and false labeling and then lied about the source and nature of those ingredients.” The indictment claims the products in question were sold to retailers across the nation, with USPlabs asserting that it used natural plant extracts “when in fact it was using a synthetic stimulant manufactured in a Chinese chemical factory.” “The joint agency effort is a testament to our commitment to protecting consumers from potentially unsafe dietary supplements and products falsely…
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