Source: National Hog Farmer
Quebec-based organic pork producer duBreton is urging food certification bodies to take a firm stance against gene-edited pork, citing consumer demand for transparency. The company, which operates four plants in North America, argues that without enforceable standards and clear labeling, shoppers cannot be confident their pork is free from genetic modification. A survey found 74% of consumers are concerned about gene-edited pork.
DuBreton applauds Certified Humane for explicitly prohibiting gene-editing in its standards, but calls on regulators like the FDA, USDA, CFIA, and Health Canada to mandate labeling and establish a separate framework for gene-edited products. The push follows the FDA’s April approval of the PRRS-resistant pig (PRP), developed by Genus, as a step toward commercialization. While proponents argue the approval could reduce disease and antibiotic use, duBreton insists natural husbandry, selective breeding, and biosecurity achieve the same results. Breton warns failure to label threatens consumer trust and ethical farming.