The US Department of Agriculture has said that it has not yet determined how banned biotech StarLink corn ended up in a US cargo bound for Japan.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The cargo was detained by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on 27 December, after traces of StarLink corn were found.


The USDA has said that US grain inspectors had examined the vessel before it left for Japan and had not found any trace of StarLink corn.


“The barges that made up this shipment were tested under conditions that met the established protocol,” Dave Shipman, deputy administrator for the USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service was quoted as saying by Reuters. “All test results were negative.”


StarLink corn, which is only approved in the US for animal feed, caused controversy in 2000 after it was found to have entered the US human food chain. The corn is not even approved for use as animal feed in Japan, reported Reuters.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact