Insect resistant and herbicide tolerant maize event DAS-Ø1131-3

In 2021, Health Canada received a submission to allow the sale of maize variety DAS-Ø1131-3, which has been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to certain Lepidopteran maize pests and tolerant to glufosinate-ammonium herbicide.

In order to determine whether this GM maize variety could be sold in Canada as food, the scientists at Health Canada conducted a scientific assessment that ensured this variety is safe for consumption. Our scientists also needed to assess how this genetically modified maize variety was developed and whether the event can be toxic or cause allergic reactions.

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 GM maize variety do not pose a greater risk to human health than maize varieties currently available on the Canadian market. In addition, Health Canada also concluded that this GM maize variety would have no impact on allergies, and that there are no other differences in the nutritional value of this GM maize variety compared to other traditional maize varieties available for consumption.

Health Canada's assessment of insect resistant and herbicide tolerant maize event DAS-Ø1131-3 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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