Risk Group 1

Risk Group 1 is the lowest of the four risk groups used to classify microorganisms by the harm they can do to people and animals. An organism in Risk Group 1 is unlikely to cause disease in a healthy person or animal.

Where the classification comes from

InputLens takes the risk group from Health Canada's ePATHogen database, which classifies organisms under Canada's Human Pathogens and Toxins Act. Groups 2 to 4 cover organisms that can cause disease, from treatable infections in Group 2 to serious ones with no effective treatment in Group 4.

What it tells you about an input

• The organism is considered low risk to human and animal health.
• It says nothing about plant health, the environment or whether a product works.
• It belongs to the organism, not to a finished product or a formulation.

What it means for US registration

US state fertilizer and biostimulant programs don't assign or register risk groups. When a reviewer asks about the safety of a microbial ingredient, a Group 1 classification is a useful fact to have, but what each state asks for differs.