McDonald's GMO Potatoes - Simplot Co. produced a new genetically modified potato that gained the approval of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Did McDonald's say yes too?
Simplot Co. works with McDonald's and is a major supplier of French fries. Still, McDonald's answer to the new GMO potatoes, called the "innate" potato was a simple no.
"McDonald's USA does not source GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing practices," the company shared in a statement and ABC News noted.
According to Mother Jones, Simplot has to win over three major factions or buyers to actually have a future with the "innate" potato. First, the farmers would have to accept it and by wanting it, they'd be paying a "premium" for the genetically engineered traits.
In Second place are the big buyers, which would be the really great companies, such as McDonald's. And the third faction would be the regular consumers. Now, the second group already failed in a way if McDonald's is backing out.
Also, the stakes are high as apparently, Simplot spent 14 years developing the "innate" potato and no precise figure was shared as regarding the money spent. Yet, it seems that a lot of millions were spent to produce this new product.
What's different about these GMO potatoes? The company altered the potatoes DNA and it produces less acrylamide, which could be a human carcinogen. The potatoes naturally produce this when cooked at high temperatures.
Also, the potato does not bruise. Potatoes suffer "rotting" slowly and start by bruising. That's why they tend to be frozen. That prevents the natural bruising. But this new GMO potatoes stay fresh.
More than a decade ago, Monsanto introduced a bug-resistant "New Leaf" line of GMO potatoes. McDonald's said no then, too. Other big buyers refused to buy it too and it was pulled from production due to lack of business, NBC News noted.
