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| United States |
| STARLINK WIDESPREAD IN CORN PRODUCTS |
| 24-Apr-2001 Environment News Service |
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WASHINGTON, DC, April 24, 2001 (ENS) - StarLink corn, a
genetically engineered variety approved only for animal feed, has shown up in a
wider range of foods than its developer had earlier reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said
today. New data concerning the levels of StarLink corn protein in processed foods have been submitted to the EPA by Aventis Crop Sciences, which developed and marketed the corn. The engineered protein first turned up in taco shells, and has now been found in muffins, corn bread, polenta and dozens of other products. However, the new information appears to confirm the EPA's assessment that the process of wet milling corn eliminates StarLink protein from finished food products such as corn oil, corn syrup, alcohol and corn starch. Finished food products made with a dry milling process may contain some of the protein, but the data suggests that processing the corn with high heat or pressure, or treating it with alkaline agents, destroys most of the protein. The EPA will evaluate this new information as it continues to review Aventis' pending request to authorize StarLink corn in the human food supply. Aventis is seeking retroactive approval for human uses of StarLink corn, despite concerns that the engineered protein could cause dangerous allergic reactions in some people. The EPA sought guidance concerning the scientific assessment of StarLink corn in the food supply from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel in a November 2000 meeting. The December 5 report from this meeting stated that additional data were needed to assess the potential exposure to StarLink corn protein in finished food products. "Aventis' new data appear to indicate that potential exposure to the StarLink corn protein in finished food products is significantly lower than previous estimates," the EPA said. Federal agencies are continuing to work with growers, millers, the food industry and Aventis, to divert StarLink corn away from the human food supply. The new information on StarLink corn is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides |
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