Nearly 1/4 US maize contaminated with StarLink 

Anthony Shadid / Knight-Ridder Tribune  17may01

WASHINGTON--StarLink, a genetically engineered corn not approved for human consumption, has, according to this story, turned up in nearly one out of four grain samples undergoing the government's most stringent tests, a far higher number than previously reported and another sign of the chaos the corn's presence has caused.

The story explains that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has tested 118,000 samples since November. Overall, about 9 percent have tested positive for StarLink. But since February, the USDA has carried out more accurate tests that can determine one kernel of StarLink in a batch of 2,400 -- the standard used by some export markets and the Food and Drug Administration. John C. Giler, chief of the Grain Inspection Service's policies and procedures branch, was cited as saying that of those 6,000 samples, 22 percent have tested positive for the corn, which the federal government barred for human use because of concerns it might cause allergic reactions, adding, "It's definitely in the system because we're finding it."

Traces of the corn -- first discovered in a sample of Taco Bell taco shells -- have led to the voluntary recall of nearly 300 products, including more than 150 brands of corn chips and taco shells. It has recently also turned up in corn dogs, corn bread, polenta and hush puppies. Its health danger remains a matter of fierce debate.

The story goes on to say that while the corn was grown on less than 1 percent of total U.S. corn acreage in 2000, it has become diffused through the system. Simple mixing in grain elevators, barges and combines is one way. Another is cross-pollination with other varieties, sometimes miles away.

Susan Keith, a lobbyist for the National Corn Growers Association, was quoted as saying, "It really tells you how much grain is co-mingled, that's the lesson from it. It's amazing how a very few kernels get mixed in with millions of bushels. None of us are convinced that we'll be able to abandon the testing for domestic food use and exports any time in the near future."