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A new “super salmon” is expected to be approved for sale in the U.S. within the next few weeks, reigniting a heated debate over genetically-modified food.

The salmon would be the first GM animal ever approved for human consumption, and has been under development in Massachusetts for 18 years. It is expected to be cleared for sale soon by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and now American supermarkets are coming under increasing pressure to refuse to stock the fish.

The AquAdvantage salmon, which contains genes from an eel-like fish and from another breed of salmon, grows twice as fast as its natural alternative, allowing for increased and more robust supplies.

British firms are closely following its progress for indications on whether genetically-modified meat and fish can make it to the supermarket shelf – and whether consumers are prepared to eat it.

Last year the FDA concluded that the salmon, which has been labelled “Frankenfish” by campaigners, was “as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon” and did not threaten the environment.

Faced with its likely approval, opponents such as Friends of the Earth have shifted their attention to America’s major retailers – demanding that they refuse to stock the new seafood.

“The approval of genetically engineered salmon will set a precedent that could open the floodgates for other genetically engineered animals,” the campaign group said, in a statement urging supermarkets to sign a pledge for GM-free seafood.