Alberta potato producers don’t grow enough genetically modified spuds to be affected by a biotech french fry ban.
Ed Van Dellen of Potato Growers of Alberta said of the 40,000 acres planted to potatoes in the province last year, only 100 acres were genetically altered.
Fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, are telling their french fry suppliers to stop using Monsanto’s genetically modified potato. McCain’s Foods announced last fall it will not process GM potatoes in 2000.
Large corporations like McDonald’s award french fry contracts to various processors that include companies like McCain’s.
“Potatoes that are in the system that are genetically modified would have ended up in a different market,” said Van Dellen.
They might go to non-retail customers who in turn distribute them to institutions or small restaurants.
Sold under the name Nature Mark by Monsanto, they have a built-in resistance to insects. A potato resistant to Roundup herbicide is also being developed.
