USDA Deregulates African Marigold Engineered To Produce Red Flowers

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red marigold

Contact: aphispress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 13, 2026—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is deregulating an African marigold variety, in response to a petition from Ball Horticultural Company (Ball). This African marigold variety was developed using genetic engineering to produce red flower petals. After a thorough review, APHIS has determined that the modified African marigold variety is unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk than the unmodified comparator and therefore is no longer subject to our regulation governing the introduction of certain organisms developed using genetic engineering.

Our determination is based on our evaluation of the following:

  • Information and data Ball submitted in its petition for deregulation
  • Available scientific data
  • Public comments received in response to the February 11, 2026, Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the petition and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA)

We are publishing the Determination of Nonregulated Status, PPRA, and response to public comments on the petition and PPRA. These documents support APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential plant pest impacts associated with deregulating Ball’s African marigold variety modified to produce red flower petals. These documents and the Federal Register notice will be available on the Regulations.gov website on October 14, 2026, at www.regulations.gov/search?filter=APHIS-2026-0001.