Food > Biotechnology >Food Safety 

What are Genetically Modified Foods?

Genetically modified (GM) foods, also called "biotechnology-derived foods" or "novel foods" , have had one or more inheritable characteristics intentionally changed by altering the genetic makeup of the food. This is done to add, remove, or modify a characteristic of the food. For example, a plant might have its genetic makeup modified to make it resistant to a particular plant virus.

A food may also contain GM food ingredients that have had their genetic makeup altered. Canola oil, for example, is a GM food that is contained in many processed foods.

Where do genetically modified foods come from?

Genetic modification is not something that is new to our food system. Selective breeding and cross-breeding are methods of genetic modification that have been used by farmers for generations. For example, historically, farmers have genetically modified corn through cross breeding to produce products like "Peaches and Cream" corn. What is relatively new is the ability to make specific changes to the genetic make-up of a plant or animal using modern methods of genetic modification. This technology makes it possible for farmers to grow plants that are resistant to pests by triggering genes to produce certain types of enzymes that pests do not like.

What's the difference between genetically engineered foods and genetically modified foods?

The term "genetically engineered" is a more scientifically accurate way to describe modern biotechnology methods for modifying foods, rather than traditional methods, such as cross breeding. Most people, however, use the term "genetically modified" or GM to refer to all ways of changing an organism's genetic material, whether that be through traditional breeding or more modern methods.

Are genetically modified foods evaluated for safety?

Yes. Before any GM agricultural or food product can be produced and marketed in Canada, it must undergo a number of rigorous safety assessments. It takes seven to ten years to develop, test, and thoroughly assess a new genetically modified product. Safety assessments are designed to determine that the food product is not dangerous for humans, animals, or the environment. Government scientific evaluators with expertise in chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, and toxicology look at the following:

• how the food crop was developed, and what changes were made in the plant's molecular structure
• how the GM food compares in composition and nutrition with its counterpart food that has not been modified
• whether the GM food contains new toxins (substances that may cause harm to animals, humans, or the environment)
• whether the GM food may cause allergic reactions

Contrary to some misconceptions, there are no animal, fish or human genes approved for use in GM food anywhere in the world.

For additional information on how genetically modified foods are assessed for safety, visit Health Canada's "Novel Foods and Ingredients" web site at:

• www.novelfoods.gc.ca

How many genetically modified foods are approved in Canada?

As of 2003, the Canadian government has approved over 60 genetically modified foods for sale in Canada. Some of these include:

• insect resistant corn
• herbicide tolerant soybean, sugarbeet, corn, and rice
• virus resistant squash
• insect and virus resistant potato

A detailed list of approved GM foods can be found on Health Canada's Web site at:

• www.novelfoods.gc.ca

The government has approved over 40 genetically modified plants for use as agricultural products. Details about the government's scientific assessments for these products are available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Web site at:

• http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toc/bioteche.shtml

What are the most common GM foods?

Processed foods containing soya, canola or corn, such as cookies, prepared sauces, and breakfast cereals are likely to contain GM ingredients in some level.

Need more information?

If you would like more information about the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) regulation of biotechnology-derived products, please visit the agency's web site at:

• www.inspection.gc.ca

Information on novel foods is available on Health Canada's web site at:

• www.novelfoods.gc.ca