Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), having completed their respective food and feed safety assessments of the J.R. Simplot Company’s first generation of Innate® potatoes, have concluded that there is no objection to the sale of food derived from the spuds. As such, Innate® Gen. 1 potatoes can be marketed in Canada starting this year. In 2015 the potatoes received corresponding regulatory approvals in the United States and have been grown and sold in the US market under the White Russet™ brand.
In addition, CFIA determined that these potatoes are “as safe and as nutritious as traditional potato varieties” for use as livestock feed, and that the tubers do not present increased risk to the environment when compared to currently cultivated potato varieties in Canada.
Boise, Idaho-headquartered Simplot’s Innate® Gen. 1 potatoes have two advantages relevant to potato growers, processors and consumers: reduced bruising and black spots, and reduced asparagine, which leads to less acrylamide when the potatoes are cooked at high temperatures. These benefits were achieved by adapting genes from wild and cultivated potatoes to improve Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Atlantic potato varieties.
Simplot research demonstrates that the Innate® bruise reduction trait can result in up to 44 percent less bruising, and reduce black spots and browning. The reduction in asparagine means that accumulation levels of acrylamide can be reduced from 52-69 percent when these potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.
“We’re excited to offer these beneficial potatoes to the Canadian marketplace,” said Haven Baker, vice president and general manager of Simplot Plant Sciences, a division of the J.R. Simplot Company. “Innate potatoes reduce waste, enabling growers to be more efficient while giving consumers the opportunity to use more of what they pay for.”
