We appreciate the forum's effort to define what substantial equivalence is and is not. This concept is applied when structuring a safety assessment. Substantial equivalence is sometimes wrongly characterized as an attempt to avoid applying approval procedures to bioengineered food products. This is not the case. In the U.S., we use this concept as a starting point in our risk assessment process.
Further steps recommended in the report are also under consideration.
We will also cooperate with our international partners to promote strong food safety systems worldwide.