Korea Seeking Public Comments on Safety Review of GM Corn MON95379 and Others

On June 5th, 2024, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that they are seeking public comments on the safety review results for genetically modified (GM) corn varieties MON95379 and DP-915635-4. This is in accordance with Article 18 of Korea's Food Sanitation Act.

The safety reviews were conducted by Korea's "Genetically Modified Food Safety Review Committee". The MFDS stated that the safety assessments are based on scientific facts, and if the public comments submitted are consistent with scientific facts and logic, they can be considered for further discussion.

The public comment period is open until July 4th, 2024. This is a standard procedure in Korea to allow citizens to provide input on the safety assessment of new GM food products before they are approved for use or import.

GM crops like MON95379 and DP-915635-4 corn undergo rigorous safety testing to evaluate potential risks to human and animal health, as well as the environment. The public comments collected will be carefully reviewed by the authorities along with the scientific data to make a final determination on whether to approve these GM corn varieties for the Korean market.

This transparency and opportunity for public engagement is an important part of Korea's regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of the food supply. It allows citizens to voice any concerns they may have, which can then be addressed through further analysis if warranted.