EPA to Hold Meeting on Modified Corn

The Environmental Protection Agency said it will give consumer, food, farm and grain groups 30 days to offer suggestions on Aventis’ request for four-year approval of a biotech corn blamed for a series of recalls and widespread food testing. The EPA also said it would hold a scientific review meeting in late November on whether enough evidence exists to determine if the European company’s genetically modified StarLink corn can cause food allergies among some people. The agency also encouraged any consumers who have had possible allergic reactions to StarLink to notify the Food and Drug Administration for investigation. The FDA, which has received a dozen or so complaints, will share its information with the EPA. Aventis last week asked the EPA for temporary approval that would allow the corn to be consumed by humans. The company said a four-year grace period is needed to allow the corn to work its way through grain elevators, flour mills, food manufacturing plants and consumer pantries.