StarLink traces found in Japan

2 February 2001



StarLink traces found in Japan

By FWi staff

NEW traces of unapproved genetically modified StarLink maize have been found in US imports to Japan, according to a consumer group.

The Consumers Union of Japan says StarLink was found in one of 14 food samples tested, reports the Financial Times.

StarLink is not approved for human use.

Last autumn, the group discovered StarLink in food and animal feed, prompting Japan to sharply cut purchases of US corn.

Japan imports 12 million tonnes of corn for animal feed and 4m tonnes for food use each year.

• GM protein found in natural corn, FWi, 22 November, 2000
• GM fast food recall puts approval system in chaos, FWi, 20 October, 2000
• Japan risks US wrath over GM labels, FWi, 15 July, 1999