Assessment of genetically modified cotton GHB811 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-ES-2018-154)

Cotton GHB811 was developed to confer tolerance to glyphosate and HPPD inhibitor herbicides. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between cotton GHB811 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment, except for % lint, lint length and dihydrosterculic acid, which do not raise nutritional and safety concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the 2mEPSPS and HPPD W336 proteins as expressed in cotton GHB811 and finds no evidence that the genetic modification would change the overall allergenicity of cotton GHB811. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from cotton GHB811 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. The GMO Panel concludes that cotton GHB811 is as safe as the conventional counterpart and non-GM cotton reference varieties tested, and no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of accidental release of viable cotton GHB811 seeds into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of cotton GHB811. The GMO Panel concludes that cotton GHB811 is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM cotton reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

Characterization and safety evaluation of HPPD W336, a modified 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase protein, and the impact of its expression on plant metabolism in herbicide-tolerant MST-FGØ72-2 soybean

By transgenic expression technology, a modified 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase enzyme (HPPD W336) originating from Pseudomonas fluorescens is expressed in MST-FGØ72-2 soybean to confer tolerance to 4-benzoyl isoxazole and triketone type of herbicides. Characterization and safety assessment of HPPD W336 were performed. No relevant sequence homologies were found with known allergens or toxins. Although sequence identity to known toxins showed identity to HPPD proteins annotated as hemolysins, the absence of hemolytic activity of HPPD W336 was demonstrated in vitro. HPPD W336 degrades rapidly in simulated gastric fluid. The absence of toxicity and hemolytic potential of HPPD W336 was confirmed by in vivo studies. The substrate spectrum of HPPD W336 was compared with wild type HPPD proteins, demonstrating that its expression is unlikely to induce any metabolic shifts in soybean. The potential effect of expression of HPPD W336 on metabolic pathways related to tyrosine was investigated by comparing seed composition of MST-FGØ72-2 soybean with non-genetically modified varieties, demonstrating that expression of HPPD W336 does not change aromatic amino acid, homogentisate and tocochromanol levels. In conclusion, HPPD W336 was demonstrated to be as safe as other food proteins. No adverse metabolic effects were identified related to HPPD W336 expression in MST-FGØ72-2 soybean.

Scientific opinion on application EFSA-GMO-NL-2013-120 for authorisation of genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127 for food and feed uses, import and processing submitted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 by Bayer CropScience LP and M.S. Technologies LLC

In this opinion, the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) assesses the two‐event stack soybean FG72 × A5547‐127 for food and feed uses, import and processing. The EFSA GMO Panel previously assessed the two single events combined to produce the two‐event stack soybean FG72 × A5547‐127 and did not identify safety concerns. No new data on the single events, leading to modification of the original conclusions on their safety, were identified. The molecular, agronomic, phenotypic and compositional data on soybean FG72 × A5547‐127 did not give rise to safety concerns and no reason to expect interactions between the single events impacting on the food and feed safety of the two‐event stack soybean was identified. Although the EFSA GMO Panel cannot conclude on forage composition, soybean forage is not expected to be imported in a significant amount for use as feed. Considering the routes of exposure and limited exposure levels, the EFSA GMO Panel concludes that soybean FG72 × A5547‐127 would not give rise to safety concerns in the event of accidental release of viable seeds into the environment. The post‐market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of soybean FG72 × A5547‐127. The EFSA GMO Panel concludes that soybean FG72 × A5547‐127 is as safe as the non‐genetically modified (GM) comparator and non‐GM soybean reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.