Safety aspects of genetically modified crops with abiotic stress tolerance

•GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance may contribute to global food security.•A variety of GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance is moving towards the market.•Adoption of GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance depends on safety assessment.•Current comparative approach is challenged by GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance.•We proposed a triangle method to assess GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance.

Abiotic stress, such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes, significantly reduce crop yields. Hence, development of abiotic stress-tolerant crops by modern biotechnology may contribute to global food security. Prior to introducing genetically modified crops with abiotic stress tolerance to the market, a food and environmental safety assessment is generally required. Although worldwide harmonised comparative approach is currently provided, risk assessors still face challenges to assess genetically modified crops with abiotic stress-tolerance. Here, we discuss current developments of abiotic stress tolerance as well as issues concerning food and environmental safety assessment of these crops, including current approaches, challenges and future directions.