Health Canada has concluded that these products do not pose a health or safety concern. Similarly, there have been no products that we have reviewed that have the potential to introduce unique or new allergens or toxicants into the food supply. The foods that have been approved to date represent examples of relatively simple genetic engineering, involving the transfer of one or two genes which introduce a limited number of new traits, including resistance to an insect or a plant virus. A scientific comparison of their traits with those of conventional foods indicates that they are no less safe than conventional foods which have been safely part of the Canadian diet for a long time. The comparative approach permits linking the composition of the new food to existing products with a history of safe use, permitting prediction of the impact of the new food in the diet.
Differences identified in the comparison are the focus of further detailed assessment.
However, as the science advances, should developments in the technology result in modifications that provide significantly different nutrient combinations or other novel food characteristics not previously encountered in the food supply, such foods may require additional considerations to permit comprehensive assessment. The guidelines for the safety assessment of novel foods provide this flexibility of approach. If Health Canada and CFIA scientists' assessments indicate that longer terms studies are required, the food will not be approved and the organization applying for approval will be required to undertake the longer term studies and submit further detail before their application is considered further. At this time no products representing such true novelty to the food supply have been proposed for commercialization. In assessing the safety of GM foods, we undertake a detailed scientific assessment.