The Food and Drug Administration on Friday told that the salmon fish modified genetically through engineered processes doesn’t harm the health if consumed and also causes no environmental risk.

FDA conducted analysis on the genetically modified salmon and found that it is safe to eat. It said, “There is a reasonable certainty of no harm from consumption of this animal”.

The genetically turned salmon has been developed by AquaBounty Technologies of Waltham, Mass, which can grow to market size in 16 to 18 months, while the conventional Atlantic salmon takes 30 months for the same.

The fish will be the first genetically modified animal that would mark its presence in the American food supply.

For years, AquaBounty has been seeking the sanction of the fish from FDA, which seems getting realized with the positive statement of the FDA. There will be more public meetings, commencing from September 19 on salmon. A decision will be made regarding the fate of the modified salmon after the meetings.

But the approval of the fish has been nullified by an alliance of 31 consumer, animal welfare, environmental and fisheries groups, as they are concerned about the tough competition that the fish would pose to the natural fish.