Animals digest and absorb nutrients from GE feeds in the same way they do conventional feeds. The digestive process in all livestock breaks down the nutritional components in feeds and uses these nutrients for the growth and development of the animal. Because nutritional components are broken down in the digestive process, plant proteins have not been detected in milk, meat or eggs. DNA or proteins from GE crops are not found in meat or milk from animals fed GE crops. Genetically engineered crops such as Bt corn may even be safer for both the animals and humans who consume them.
Bt corn is protected against the European corn borer, a common crop pest.
As a result, there is less damage to the corn ear, and less infection by naturally occurring fungus and toxins, which can have detrimental health effects on both livestock and humans. Many farmers choose to grow such crops because of the benefits they offer, including reduced need for chemical pesticides, improved crop quality and food safety, enhanced production efficiency and lowered crop input costs. Before any new food or feed crop is approved for use or sale in Canada, it is assessed by federal regulators to ensure its safety for human and animal health and the environment. Currently there are more than 40 such crop varieties that have been approved.