Biotech Updates

EFSA Releases Risk Assessment of New Sequencing Information for GM Sugar Beet H7-1

June 15, 2022

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) has published their risk assessment of new sequencing information for genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant sugar beet H7-1.

The GMO Panel has previously assessed GM sugar beet H7-1 in applications EFSA-GMO-UK-2004-08 (EFSA, 2006) and EFSA-GMO-RX-006 (EFSA GMO Panel, 2017). The applicant resequenced sugar beet H7-1 and compared this sequence with the originally submitted sugar beet H7-1 event sequence, which revealed seven nucleotide differences. The new sequencing information was evaluated by the JRC and was found to be compliant with the JRC guideline. The analysis concluded that the reported differences can most likely be attributed to sequencing errors in the originally reported sugar beet H7-1 event sequence, rather than spontaneous mutations.

This sugar beet was found to be as safe and nutritious as its conventional counterpart and commercial sugar beet varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of its intended uses.

For more details about sugar beet H7-1, read the statement in the EFSA Journal.


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