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Genetically modified foods have been changed by genetic manipulation or have been artificially changed by scientists in a laboratory. Farmers have traditionally used breeding methods to transfer desirable traits from one variety to another, like cross breeding plants or animals to get sweeter fruits, taller plants or greater milk yields. To assess the safety of genetically modified foods before they're approved, Health Canada compares things like a new food's characteristics and nutritional quality with those of the original product. They also check out whether there's any chance that the new food contains new substances that could be toxic or trigger allergies in some people. On that basis, they will approve foods that are as safe as similar foods already available to consumers.

What are the potential benefits of the application of genetic modification to foods?
Benefits resulting from such changes may include longer lasting and better tasting fruits and vegetables, crops which require less use of pesticides, improved nutrient content in certain foods, etc. In general, food production could be more efficient or more inexpensive and may contribute to enhancing the global food supply.

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