EFSA GMO Panel Finds Herbicide Tolerant Soybean MON 94313 Safe

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel) has released its scientific opinion on the safety of genetically modified (GM) soybean MON 94313 for food and feed uses. Following a comprehensive risk assessment, the Panel concluded that the soybean is as safe as its conventional counterpart and non-GM reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

Soybean MON 94313 was developed to confer tolerance to four different herbicide groups: dicamba, glufosinate, 2,4-D, and mesotrione-based herbicides. This multi-herbicide tolerance was achieved through the introduction of the dmo, pat, ft_t.1, and tdo expression cassettes. During the assessment, the GMO Panel evaluated the molecular characterization of the event, as well as its agronomic, phenotypic, and compositional traits. Although slight differences were identified in levels of methionine and the protein Gly m Bd 28K, additional evaluation confirmed that these variations do not raise safety or nutritional concerns.

The scientific opinion further stated that there is no evidence of toxicity or allergenicity associated with the DMO, PAT, FT_T.1, and TDO proteins as expressed in the plant. Consequently, the Panel determined that the consumption of food and feed derived from MON 94313 does not represent a nutritional concern for humans or animals, and no post-market monitoring is deemed necessary. Additionally, the Panel concluded that the soybean would not pose environmental safety risks in the case of accidental spillage of viable seeds or the release of processed materials within the European Union.

For more information, read the Scientific Opinion in the EFSA Journal.