Enhanced yield and herbicide tolerant maize DP-202216-6

In 2018, Health Canada received a submission to allow the sale of enhanced yield and herbicide-tolerant maize event DP-202216-6, which was developed using genetic modification to produce more grain and to be herbicide tolerant.  In order to determine whether the maize could be sold in Canada as food, the scientists at Health Canada conducted a scientific assessment that ensured the maize is safe for consumption, still has all its nutritional value and therefore does not differ from other maize available on the market. Our scientists also needed to assess how the maize was developed and whether it can be toxic or cause allergic reactions.

Health Canada has approved enhanced yield and herbicide-tolerant maize event DP-202216-6 for sale in Canada.  Enhanced yield and herbicide-tolerant maize event DP-202216-6 expresses the transcription factor protein ZMM28 that increases yield and the PAT protein that leads to glufosinate herbicide tolerance.

Scientists with expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry and nutrition conducted a thorough analysis of the data and the protocols provided by the applicant to ensure the validity of the results.

Following this assessment, it was determined that the changes made to this maize did not pose a greater risk to human health than maize currently available on the Canadian market. In addition, Health Canada also concluded that enhanced yield and herbicide-tolerant maize event DP-202216-6 would have no impact on allergies, and that there are no differences in the nutritional value of enhanced yield and herbicide-tolerant maize event DP-202216-6 compared to other maize available for consumption.

Health Canada's assessment of enhanced yield and herbicide-tolerant maize event DP-202216-6 was conducted according to the Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods. The approach taken by Health Canada in the safety assessment of GM foods is based upon scientific principles developed through expert international consultation over the last 20 years with agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The approach taken by Canada is currently applied by regulatory agencies around the world in countries such as the European Union, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.

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