Costco Says No to GM Salmon

Costco says it will not sell genetically modified salmon, despite the approval Thursday by the federal Food and Drug Administration of such fish for human consumption, according to The Seattle Times.

The warehouse store chain joined other major retailers -- including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Target -- who pledged not to sell AquAdvantage Salmon.

“Although the FDA has approved the sale of GM salmon, Costco has not sold and does not intend to sell GM salmon at this time,” Costco said in a statement Friday, Nov. 20.

The Food and Drug Administration granted the sale on Nov. 19 of GM salmon -- or what critics call “Frankenfish.”

AquAdvantage Salmon, engineered by the Massachusetts-based company AquaBounty, is a genetically modified fish that grows twice as fast as normal salmon.

“There are no biologically relevant differences in the nutritional profile of AquAdvantage Salmon compared to that of other farm-raised Atlantic salmon,” FDA said.

Costco locations include Bridgewater, Manville, North Plainfield and Union. Whole Food locations include Clark and Vauvhall. Trader Joe’s can be found locally in Westfield. Target locations include Bridgewater, South Plainfield, Watchung, Vauxhall, Union and Clark.