This is approval for growing the potatoes, it’s not a food safety approval. That falls under the FDA, who hasn’t weighed in yet, but is expected to shortly.

U.S.D.A. Approves Modified Potato. Next Up: French Fry Fans, Andrew Pollack, New York Times, 7 November 2014

The potatoes, which come from Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Atlantic varieties, have been genetically engineered to produce less acrylamide when cooked. They also resist bruising:

A genetically modified Innate potato, left, made by J.R. Simplot, next to a bruised conventional potato. Source: NYT and Simplot

Here’s the notice in the federal register:

J.R. Simplot Co.; Determination of Nonregulated Status of Potato Genetically Engineered for Low Acrylamide Potential and Reduced Black Spot Bruise, US Federal Register, effective 10 November 2014.

Summary: We are advising the public of our determination that potatoes designated as Innate TM potatoes (events E12, E24, F10, F37, J3, J55, J78, G11, H37, and H50), which have been genetically engineered for low acrylamide potential (acrylamide is a human neurotoxicant and potential carcinogen that may form in potatoes and other starchy foods under certain cooking conditions) and reduced black spot bruise, are no longer considered a regulated article under our regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms. Our determination is based on our evaluation of data submitted by J.R. Simplot Company in its petition for a determination of nonregulated status, our analysis of available scientific data, and comments received from the public in response to our previous notices announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and its associated environmental assessment and plant pest risk assessment. This notice also announces the availability of our written determination and finding of no significant impact.

Determination: APHIS has determined that Simplot’s Innate TM potatoes are unlikely to pose a plant pest risk and therefore are no longer subject to our regulations governing the introduction of certain GE organisms.

So, the USDA says they’re safe for the environment, rather, they won’t pose a threat to other plants. What about insects and other wildlife? I noted they based their determination upon data submitted by Simplot, not an independent lab.

Are they safe to eat? That’s for the FDA to determine. My guess is that the FDA will say they are. Will they be labeled as GMO? I don’t think so:

FDA believes that the new techniques are extensions at the molecular level of traditional methods and will be used to achieve the same goals as pursued with traditional plant breeding. The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way, or that, as a class, foods developed by the new techniques present any different or greater safety concern than foods developed by traditional plant breeding. For this reason, the agency does not believe that the method of development of a new plant variety (including the use of new techniques including recombinant DNA techniques) is normally material information within the meaning of 21 U.S.C. 321(n) and would not usually be required to be disclosed in labeling for the food.
– FDA, Statement of Policy – Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties, Biotechnology Guidance Documents (Document “Last Updated: 08/15/2013”)

This is the FDA’s fall-back position, that GMO foods are not inherently different than conventionally grown foods and therefore must be as safe. Even though there have been few long-term studies, hardly any done by independent researchers, and none on humans. And even though, in the case of these potatoes:

Doug Gurian-Sherman, a plant pathologist and senior scientist at the Center for Food Safety, an advocacy group, said that the technique used to silence the genes, called RNA interference, was still not well understood.

“We think this is a really premature approval of a technology that is not being adequately regulated,” he said, adding that his group might try to get a court to reverse the approval of the potato.

The FDA does not do its own safety studies. It relies on the results of studies done by companies that seek to make a profit selling the particular GE product. How confidence-building.

Where will these potatoes end up? If FDA gives them a nod, probably in Aunt Lucy’s Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin this Christmas:

“The company will focus on sales of fresh potatoes and fresh-cut potatoes to supermarkets and food service companies and to potato chip manufacturers, said Doug Cole, a spokesman for Simplot.”