Gene-Modified Corn Turns Up in U.S. Exports to Japan
By Stephanie Strom
Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 25 — The Consumers Union of Japan said today that it has found traces of a controversial genetically modified corn from the United States in snack foods and animal feed sold here.
The results of the union's tests are likely to kick off a firestorm of protest here, where opposition to genetically modified foods is especially strong.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and two groups representing American grain producers are expected in Tokyo tomorrow to try to explain how the genetically modified corn, called StarLink, surfaced in Japan, according to one grain importer.
The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare called an urgent meeting this morning to determine how it should respond to the consumer group's revelations. StarLink is not approved for import into Japan, although other genetically modified foods are allowed.
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