Home » EPA seeks comment on StarLink White Paper

EPA seeks comment on StarLink White Paper

Oct 26, 2007 9:54 AM

EPA is seeking public comment on a draft White Paper that recommends withdrawal of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s guidance to test for the StarLink protein Cry9C in corn grain.

StarLink is a biotechnology-derived variety of insect-resistant corn. EPA approved it for animal feed and industrial uses but not for human consumption because of unresolved questions that it could be a potential allergen. However, there is no scientific evidence linking StarLink to allergic reactions.

The registrant voluntarily cancelled its registration in 2000 when StarLink corn was detected in human food, since its presence in food rendered the food adulterated and therefore not fit for human consumption. At that time, as part of a broad effort to remove any remaining StarLink from the human food supply, FDA recommended that the milling industry establish a comprehensive program to test all yellow corn. EPA’s White Paper analyzes seven years of testing data and concludes that continued testing of corn provides no added protection for human health.

In 2006, 99.99 percent of more than 412 million bushels of corn tested negative for the StarLink protein Cry9C. The analysis shows that, after seven years, StarLink has been virtually removed from the U.S. food supply.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/pips/starlink_corn.htm