The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that the stacked genetically modified soybean DAS-44406 x FG72, developed by Syngenta Crop Protection AG, poses no safety concerns for human and animal health or the environment, according to a scientific opinion published on 29 July 2026. The opinion, adopted on 6 July 2026, covers the scope of import, processing, and food and feed uses within the EU, excluding cultivation. The assessment found that the combination of the two single events—DAS-44406-6 and FG72—does not give rise to food and feed safety or nutritional concerns, and no post-market monitoring of food and feed is considered necessary.
The opinion, issued by EFSA's Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel), evaluates the stacked soybean, which expresses AAD-12, 2mEPSPS, PAT, and HPPD W336 proteins conferring tolerance to 2,4-D, glyphosate, glufosinate, and HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. The GMO Panel had previously assessed the two single events individually and found no safety concerns. No new data on the single events were identified that would alter those conclusions. The molecular characterisation confirmed the integrity of the combined events, and protein expression analysis showed comparable levels across tissues, except for 2mEPSPS, which was higher due to both events producing the protein.
The comparative analysis of agronomic, phenotypic, and compositional characteristics identified some differences—such as changes in seed weight, myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, heptadecanoic acid, total isoflavones, and fat in forage—but further evaluation found these to raise no environmental or nutritional concerns. The GMO Panel concluded that the stacked soybean is as safe as its non-GM comparator and reference varieties. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses, and accidental release of viable seeds would not raise environmental safety concerns.
The application (dossier GMFF-2025-34192) was submitted by Syngenta under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and declared valid by EFSA on 1 September 2025. The opinion will inform the European Commission's decision on authorisation for EU import and processing.