McDonald's says it has no plans to buy J.R. Simplot's newly approved GMO potato

BOISE, Idaho — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Co.'s new genetically modified potato. But one of the company's oldest business partners — McDonald's — hasn't.

The Idaho Statesman reports (http://is.gd/VLciDK ) that the fast-food giant says it doesn't use genetically modified potatoes and has no plans to change that policy.

The USDA this month gave Boise-based J.R. Simplot Co. permission to begin commercial planting of its new spud, called the "Innate" potato. The company altered the potato's DNA so it produces less acrylamide (ah-KRIL'-ah-myd), which is suspected to be a human carcinogen. Potatoes naturally produce the chemical when they're cooked at high temperatures.

The potato is also engineered to resist bruising.

Simplot is a major supplier of french fries, hash browns and other potato products for restaurant chains like McDonald's.

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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com