EU Assessment Confirms Safety of Genetically Modified Maize DP23211 in Food and Feed

In a recent announcement, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stated that their GMO expert panel has conducted a scientific evaluation on the safety of genetically modified maize DP23211 for its use in food and feed. This assessment was carried out as per the request of the European Commission. The findings of the evaluation indicate that DP23211 is as safe as its conventional counterparts and tested non-genetically modified maize varieties, with no significant concerns regarding its impact on human health, animal health, or the environment.

The European Union's assessment of genetically modified maize DP23211 for its safety in food and feed has concluded that it poses no significant risks to human health, animal health, or the environment. The evaluation was conducted by the GMO expert panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in response to a request from the European Commission.

DP23211 maize was developed with the aim of providing protection against certain coleopteran pests and tolerance to glufosinate-containing herbicides. The genetic modifications introduced the pmi, mo-pat, ipd072Aa, and DvSSJ1 expression cassettes. The assessment involved molecular characterization data, bioinformatic analyses, and a comparison of agronomic, phenotypic, and compositional characteristics between DP23211 and its conventional counterpart.

The evaluation revealed no issues requiring further assessment in terms of food and feed safety. Differences in levels of histidine, phenylalanine, magnesium, phosphorus, and folic acid in the grain were identified but were deemed not to raise safety or nutritional concerns. The GMO Panel determined that the genetic modifications, including the proteins IPD072Aa, PAT, PMI, and the dsRNA and siRNAs derived from DvSSJ1 newly expressed in DP23211, do not raise safety concerns regarding toxicity or allergenicity.

Based on the evaluation, the consumption of food and feed derived from DP23211 maize does not raise nutritional concerns for humans and animals. Therefore, post-market monitoring of food and feed is not considered necessary. In the event of accidental release into the environment, viable DP23211 grains were found to pose no environmental safety concerns.

The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals for DP23211 maize align with its intended uses. The GMO Panel concluded that DP23211 maize is as safe as its conventional counterpart and tested non-genetically modified reference varieties concerning potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

In summary, the recently conducted assessment by the European Food Safety Authority confirms the safety of genetically modified maize DP23211 for its use in food and feed. The evaluation assures that DP23211 maize is on par with its conventional counterparts and poses no significant risks to human health, animal health, or the environment. These findings contribute to the scientific understanding and regulatory framework surrounding genetically modified organisms within the European Union.