Japanese Health Ministry officials have confirmed that genetically modified corn, already banned in Japan, has crept into the country again.
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Samples of the modified corn, StarLink, was found in a shipment from the United States, said Yoshiko Saito, an official in the ministry’s Food Sanitation Division. U.S. test results before shipment showed no traces, she said.
The two countries agreed in November to jointly test future shipments for presence of genetically modified varieties after StarLink was found in about 28,000 tons of corn imported into Japan. The banned corn was subsequently used in the production of food.
Japan has since said those found guilty of importing genetically altered corn will face a maximum fine of ¥100,000 or one year in prison.
Just-food.com recently carried a feature discussing the lessons to be learned from the StarLink case. To read it, click here.
