Maize event EH913

In 2022, Health Canada received a submission to allow the sale of insect resistant Maize Event EH913 which has been genetically modified to be insect-resistant. In order to determine whether the products derived from maize event EH913 could be sold in Canada as food, the scientists at Health Canada conducted a scientific assessment that ensured this 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.

This maize event EH913 expresses the insecticidal protein Cry1Da which is active against insect pests. Maize event EH913 also expresses the PAT (bar) protein that makes the plant tolerant to glufosinate.

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 event EH913 did not pose a greater risk to human health than other maize currently available on the Canadian market. In addition, Health Canada also concluded that maize event EH913 would have no impact on allergies, and that there are no differences in the nutritional value of food products from maize event EH913 compared to other maize available for consumption.

Health Canada's assessment of maize event EH913 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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