Simplot Applied for Approval of Innate E12 Potato Variety in Korea

The information on this page is meant to provide clarity around the purpose of Simplot’s request to gain import approval of the Cultivate variety of its Innate ® potato, referred to as E12 in the application. Simplot submitted Innate® E12 for review by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as part of its global regulatory stewardship and supply-chain management approach. If you have any questions not found here, please contact us at Communications@Simplot.com.

Are the Simplot potato products sold in Korea GMO? No. All Simplot potato products supplied in Korea are made from conventional potatoes.

What are Innate® potatoes? Innate® potatoes were developed through biotechnology by Simplot in the United States using genes from wild and cultivated potatoes. Innate® E12 was developed to reduce black-spot bruising and lower acrylamide potential when cooked.

Are Innate® potatoes safe? Yes. Innate® potatoes undergo scientific safety assessments for their intended uses. Across different Innate® potato events, more than 80 regulatory approvals have been granted internationally.

Korea conducts its own independent safety assessment under its regulatory framework, and Simplot continues to provide the information requested by Korean authorities.

What does MFDS approval mean? MFDS approval would represent a positive regulatory determination within the scope of its review. Once all necessary food and feed regulatory approvals are confirmed, Innate® E12 could legally be imported, marketed and used for authorized purposes in Korea, subject to applicable import, inspection and labeling requirements.

This would not represent a decision by Simplot to commercialize E12 in Korea. Simplot has no plans to supply Innate® E12 potatoes or products derived from E12 in Korea.

Does Simplot plan to import Innate® potatoes into Korea in the future? Simplot has no plans, customer requests or commercial arrangements to supply Innate® E12 or related products in Korea.

Why did Simplot seek approval if it does not plan to sell in Korea? Countries have different regulatory requirements for biotechnology products. Simplot seeks regulatory approvals to support responsible product stewardship and help prevent disruptions to global supply chains, even in markets where it does not plan to sell the product. Simplot has no plans to supply Innate® E12 potatoes or products derived from E12 in Korea.

Will Innate® potatoes be grown in Korea? Will this affect Korean potato farmers? Simplot has no plans to grow or supply Innate® E12 potatoes or products derived from E12 in Korea. No genetically modified crops have been approved for commercial cultivation in Korea. Commercial cultivation would require separate regulatory approvals, including applicable environmental risk assessments. Because Simplot has no plans to supply Innate® E12 potatoes or products derived from E12 in Korea, approval would not represent a new commercial source of competition for Korean potato growers.

How will GMO labeling work? Approval of Innate® E12 would not change the labeling of Simplot's products currently supplied in Korea. Simplot's current potato products supplied in Korea remain conventional, and Simplot has no plans to supply Innate® E12 potatoes or products derived from E12 in Korea.

Labeling requirements are determined by Korean law and depend on the product and its composition.

You can learn more about Simplot’s approach to bioengineered crops here: https://www.simplotfood.com/bioengineered-statement

You can learn more about Simplot’s Plant Sciences division, and its work with Innate potatoes, here: https://www.simplot.com/plant-sciences