Could Frankenfish be coming to a table near you?

A smaller conventionally raised salmon and one raised by AquaBounty Technologies of Massachusetts, both roughly the same age. (New York Times photo)

SALISBURY, N.C. - In contrast to media reports that genetically modified Atlantic salmon weren't likely to show up in Maine stores, a Food Lion spokesperson told The Lebanon Voice on Friday that while the Belgium-based supermarket giant that owns Hannaford would be asking suppliers not to send them GMO fish, since the FDA doesn't require their GMO labeling, it was possible some of the so-called "Frankenfish" could show up in Maine and New Hampshire Hannafords.

The FDA on Thursday approved the application for AquaBounty Technologies of Maynard, Mass., to produce genetically modified salmon for market. The go-ahead included that no GMO labeling would be required on the product.

In its release, the FDA said that the salmon is as safe and nutritious as nongenetically engineered salmon and that "there are no biologically relevant differences in the nutritional profile."

The FDA is prohibiting the genetically engineered salmon, called AquAdvantage Salmon, from being raised in the U.S., however. The fish will instead be grown in tanks in Canada and Panama.

The FDA also said the fish are sterile so they will not be able to breed with conventional salmon if they break free of their tanks.

Genetically modified foods have been in existence for 20 years. bit still three is no labeling required despite the vast majority of people wishing they were.

Why? Activists will say that's because powerful lobbying groups representing chemical giants like Monsanto and Dow are making it their business to see that it doesn't.

Most of the corn, soybeans, sugar beets, alfalfa, canola, soy, Hawaiian papaya and cotton grown in the United States are grown with GMO seeds, which are spliced with DNA bacteria that protects them from insects and pests, even the herbicide that is sprayed on them.

Thursday's ruling, however, spells a new level of concern as it is the first time a genetically modified animal species has been approved for human consumption.

Maine and several other New England states have passed GMO labeling laws, but they all contain a trigger clause that keeps it from being passed until five contiguous states have joined the effort.

A Portland Press Herald story on Friday said a store spokesman for the Scarborough-based Hannaford chain vowed that they would not sell the genetically modified fish, but Food Lion consumer relations consultant Amanda McKinney, reached at Food Lion's Salisbury, N.C., corporate headquarters, said while they would ask suppliers not to send them GMO fish and work hard to not source anything GMO, it would be quite possible that some could end up in their markets because there is no labeling requirement.

"Yes, that is possible," she said, "however, we would try not to do it."

Food Lion owns the Hannaford chain and was aware The Lebanon Voice was calling regarding Hannaford policies, not Food Lion.

The Lebanon Voice also reached out to Market Basket corporate spokespeople but as of this posting no one had returned a call.

Walmart, which has no seafood department at its Rochester store, drew no comment from its corporate headquarters.

Meanwhile, an environmental group called Friends of the Earth says about 60 major retailers, accounting for more than 9,000 stores, have non-GMO seafood policies, including Trader Joe's.

Absent from the list is Walmart.

Salmon bought at restaurants, meanwhile, poses a whole new question.