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When were genetically modified foods first approved for human consumption in the United States?
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genetic engineering
The generation of vaccines relies heavily on techniques in genetic engineering.
The first genetically modified food approved for human consumption in the United States was the "FLAVR SAVR" tomato, which received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 1994.1
The tomato was engineered to increase its firmness and extend its shelf life, helping it resist potential damage during shipping. Although it was the first genetically modified food product to reach the market, it was eventually discontinued by the end of the decade due to factors including high production costs, supply chain challenges, and public skepticism.1
It is important to distinguish this from the first consumer GMO product approved by the FDA, which was human insulin produced by genetically modified bacteria in 1982.2