StarLink corn recall

StarLink Corn Recall

Taco shells were one of the products affected by the StarLink corn recall.

The StarLink corn recall was a significant event in the early 2000s involving the withdrawal of food products containing genetically modified corn that had not been approved for human consumption. This incident highlighted the complexities and challenges associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food supply chain.

Background

StarLink corn was a type of genetically modified corn developed by Aventis CropScience. It was engineered to express the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry9C protein, which provides resistance to certain pests. However, due to concerns about potential allergenicity, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved StarLink corn only for animal feed and industrial use, not for human consumption.

Discovery and Recall

In September 2000, traces of StarLink corn were discovered in taco shells sold in grocery stores, prompting a nationwide recall. The discovery was made by a coalition of environmental and consumer advocacy groups who conducted independent testing. The presence of StarLink corn in human food products led to widespread concern and a series of recalls affecting numerous food products.

Impact

The recall had significant economic and regulatory impacts. It led to a loss of consumer confidence in the safety of the food supply and raised questions about the adequacy of regulatory oversight for GMOs. The incident also resulted in financial losses for farmers and food manufacturers, as well as increased scrutiny of biotechnology companies.

Regulatory Response

In response to the StarLink corn recall, the EPA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took steps to improve the monitoring and regulation of genetically modified crops. This included more stringent testing and labeling requirements to prevent unauthorized GMOs from entering the human food supply.

Related Pages

• Genetically modified food controversies
• Bacillus thuringiensis
• Genetically modified crops
• Food safety