Keeping Our Food System Safe

All people should have the right to know and choose what they are purchasing and feeding their families. Friends of the Earth fights to ensure that the food we grow and eat is truly healthy, sustainable, fully regulated for safety, and labeled honestly. 

A growing body of science suggests that GMO salmon may pose serious environmental and public health risks, including potentially irreversible damage to wild salmon populations. Unfortunately, there are dozens of other genetically engineered animals, such as chickens, pigs and cows engineered to fit within a factory farming model, in development that could enter our food supply in the coming years.

On November 19, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the world’s first genetically engineered animal for human consumption – the genetically engineered AquaAdvantage salmon. However, the sale of GE salmon in the U.S. is not currently permitted. In June 2016, the FDA announced an import ban on GE salmon until labeling guidelines have been published.

Thanks to pressure from Friends of the Earth and thousands of our members who highlighted the many sustainability and health concerns surrounding genetically engineered salmon and the lack of consumer demand, 80 food retailers have made commitments to not sell GE salmon, including Walmart, Costco, Albertson’s, Kroger, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

Canada has approved sale of genetically engineered salmon with no labeling requirements. This has made commitments by retailers to not sell GE salmon more important than ever. With the help of allies and Friends of the Earth members, we will work to ensure that grocery leaders maintain their commitments to not sell this poorly tested and unlabeled GMO fish and other seafood.