Rats fed the genetically modified yeast-derived protein soy leghemoglobin – the burger’s key ingredient – developed unexplained changes in weight gain and signs of toxicity

Following the publication of an article last year by Claire Robinson and Dr Michael Antoniou about the health risks posed by the GMO-derived Impossible Burger, the authors received hostile comments from the burger's defenders to the effect that "It's all 'what if?' – there is no actual evidence it's unsafe."

So the authors examined a rat feeding study commissioned by the manufacturer, Impossible Foods – and found that rats fed the key ingredient in the burger did indeed show signs of toxicity. Below is the summary of their followup article, posted on the GMOScience website.

As the article mentions, GMO Free USA has heard from some people who have experienced gastrointestinal problems after eating the burger. So the group is conducting a survey gathering people's reactions.
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Rat feeding study suggests the Impossible Burger may not be safe to eat

Claire Robinson and Michael Antoniou, PhD
GMOScience, 25 Jun 2019
https://www.gmoscience.org/rat-feeding-studies-suggest-the-impossible-burger-may-not-be-safe-to-eat/

Rats fed the genetically modified yeast-derived protein soy leghemoglobin – the burger’s key ingredient – developed unexplained weight gain and signs of toxicity. Report by Claire Robinson and Michael Antoniou, PhD

At-a-glance

* The Impossible Burger is a plant-based burger, the key ingredient of which is a protein called soy leghemoglobin (SLH), derived from genetically modified (GM) yeast
* A rat feeding study commissioned by the manufacturer Impossible Foods found that rats fed SLH developed unexplained changes in weight gain, as well as changes in the blood that can indicate the onset of inflammation or kidney disease, as well as possible signs of anemia
* Impossible Foods dismissed these statistically significant effects as “non-adverse” or as having “no toxicological relevance”
* The company’s conclusion of safety is unsound, due to the short duration of the feeding study and the small number of animals used. Only a longer-term study with a larger number of animals can clarify the significance of the worrying effects seen
* A nonprofit group is collecting data from people who believe they have had an adverse reaction to the burger.

Read this article in full on the GMOScience site:
https://www.gmoscience.org/rat-feeding-studies-suggest-the-impossible-burger-may-not-be-safe-to-eat/