Scientific Opinion on an application (EFSA-GMO-NL-2012-107) for the placing on the market of maize MON 810 pollen under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto

In this opinion, the EFSA GMO Panel addresses the safety of maize MON 810 pollen to complete the scope of an application (RX-MON 810) for the marketing of genetically modified maize MON 810 with the use of MON 810 pollen as or in food. Data on molecular characterisation of maize MON 810 did not raise any safety concerns with respect to its pollen. The EFSA GMO Panel has previously assessed the safety of the newly expressed Cry1Ab protein in maize MON 810. The assessment and conclusions of the GMO Panel on the safety of this protein, including its potential toxicity and allergenicity, also apply to the Cry1Ab protein expressed in MON 810 pollen. While the EFSA GMO Panel is not in a position to conclude on the safety of maize pollen in or as food in general, it concludes that the genetic modification in maize MON 810 does not constitute an additional health risk if maize MON 810 pollen is to replace maize pollen from non-GM maize in or as food.