USDA Considers Nonregulated Status for Genetically Engineered Casein-Producing Soybean

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture announced the receipt of a formal petition from Mozza Foods, Incorporated, seeking nonregulated status for a novel genetically engineered crop. Published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2026, the notice initiates a sixty-day public comment window closing on January 11, 2027. The subject of the petition is the MF1786-1 soybean, a variety modified to express specific bovine milk proteins within its seeds.

Background and Technical Modifications

Under the authority of the Plant Protection Act and federal regulations governing organisms altered through genetic engineering, APHIS oversees the introduction and environmental release of regulated articles. The petition submitted by Mozza Foods, designated as APHIS Petition Number 25-239-01p, details several targeted genetic alterations to the Glycine max species. Specifically, the MF1786-1 soybean has been engineered to express bovine alpha S1, beta, and kappa casein proteins, alongside FAM20C kinase, in its seeds. Additionally, the modification reduces the level of native soybean glycinin proteins. Developers also incorporated glufosinate resistance as a selectable marker to facilitate the identification of successfully transformed plants during development.

Plant Pest Risk Assessment

Prior to publishing the notice, APHIS prepared a draft plant pest risk assessment to evaluate the biological and ecological safety of the modified soybean. The agency compared the pest risks associated with the MF1786-1 variety against those of conventional, nonmodified soybean varieties. The preliminary findings of the draft assessment concluded that the genetically engineered soybean is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk. APHIS is explicitly soliciting public input on biological and ecological issues, encouraging interested parties to submit empirical scientific data, studies, and relevant research to inform the final regulatory determination.

Regulatory Process and Next Steps

Interested stakeholders, including agricultural producers, biotechnology firms, legal professionals, and consumer advocacy groups, may submit formal comments through the federal eRulemaking portal or via postal mail referencing Docket Number APHIS-2026-0562. Once the comment period closes, agency officials will review all submitted evidence and relevant scientific literature. APHIS will subsequently issue a formal response to Mozza Foods, Inc., either approving or denying the petition, and publish its final regulatory determination in the Federal Register.