Head-on-Gutted AquAdvantage salmon

In 2022, Health Canada received a submission from AquaBounty Canada Inc. to allow the food use of the Head-on-Gutted (HOG) form of AquAdvantage Salmon. This form was not included in the original 2016 safety assessment of AquAdvantage salmon fillets. The difference between the fillets made of muscle and skin and the current product in Head-on-Gutted form, is the presence of not only muscle and skin, but also bone and brain.

In order to determine whether the Head-on-gutted from of AquAdvantage Salmon could be sold in Canada as food, the scientists at Health Canada conducted a scientific assessment that ensured the Head-on-Gutted salmon is safe for consumption, still has all its nutritional value and therefore does not differ from other salmon available on the market. Our scientists also needed to assess whether it can be toxic or cause allergic reactions.

Scientists with expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry and nutrition conducted a thorough analysis of the data and the protocols provided by the applicant to ensure the validity of the results.

Following this assessment, it was determined that the Head-on-Gutted AquAdvantage salmon did not pose a greater risk to human health than other salmon currently available on the Canadian market.

Health Canada's assessment of Head-on-Gutted AquAdvantage salmon was conducted according to the Codex Alimentarius Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals. The approach taken by Health Canada in the safety assessment of GM foods is based upon scientific principles developed through expert international consultation over the last 20 years with agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The approach taken by Canada is currently applied by regulatory agencies around the world in countries such as the European Union, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.

Related content

• Technical summary