StarLink found in corn seeds

StarLink corn has been detected in American seed corn supplies, according to U.S. government and industry officials. StarLink is a genetically engineered variety manufactured by Aventis Crop Science that has never been approved for human consumption and has been withdrawn from the market. StarLink was detected in seed corn lots before they were sold or planted, according to Stewart Reeve, a spokesperson for the National Corn Growers Association. Reeve said that "everything that can be done will be done to ensure that corn planted this year does not contain StarLink." He added, however, that it is impossible to rule out the possibility that some StarLink will be mixed in with corn seed that is delivered to farmers. Although the quantities of StarLink that could be grown will not affect human health or the environment, the adverse publicity could make it more difficult to export corn, he said.

Industry representatives said it has not been determined how traces of StarLink found their way into seed corn lots. Representatives of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the Grocery Manufacturers of America met Thursday with senior Department of Agriculture and FDA staff to discuss the StarLink issue. ASTA requested that thresholds for permitted levels of StarLink be raised. According to ASTA, it is virtually impossible to prevent the co-mingling of StarLink and other varieties of corn in seed corn. ...