USDA Attache: Sweden Found Biotech Traits In US Rice Shipment
Apr 11,2007 00:00
by
dailynews
Swedish authorities found the unauthorized genetically modified LL Rice 601in a shipment of 600 tons of pre-packed U.S. long-grain rice, which was
imported in January 2007, after the European Union certification and testing
requirements were imposed on U.S. rice in September 2006, according to a U.S.
Department of Agriculture attache report posted Tuesday on the Foreign
Agricultural Services Web site.
The attache report was dated Feb. 15.
On February 8, 2007, the Swedish National Food Administration announced that
traces of the unauthorized LL 601 rice had been found in long-grain rice
imported from the United States. The rice, about 600 metric tons of pre-packed
long-grain rice intended for end consumers and HRI, was shipped from the United
States in 30 containers about seven weeks ago. It arrived in Gothenburg in
western Sweden near the end of January.
According to EU requirements, local authorities in Gothenburg tested all 30
containers for LL 601 rice. Initial test results showed presence of LL 601 rice
in 6 out of the first sixteen containers tested. Results from the remaining
tests are expected in a few days. The rice found free of LL 601 rice will be
released for sale while a sales ban has been imposed on all other rice in the
shipment.
Swedish authorities conducted these tests despite the fact that the rice had
been tested negative for LL 601 twice before the official testing in Sweden. It
had been tested in the United States in order to get the required certificate
for rice exports to the EU. The rice had also been tested negative for LL 601
by the Swedish importer ICA. ICA's tests cannot, however, detect traces of LL
601 below 0.1 percent. ICA is a leading retailer, as well as food importer, in
Sweden.
Although ICA had blocked this rice for sale awaiting the official testing,
small quantities of the rice had already reached the retail stores. The rice
has been recalled and ICA has offered customers to return already purchased
rice. It states that the rice was recalled because it is not legal in the EU
and that there is no health risk involved in consuming this rice. ICA is
currently investigating why this "blocked" rice reached the retail stores.
ICA is one of few importers in the EU that is still taking in U.S. rice after
the EU certification and testing requirements were imposed on U.S. rice in
September 2006. After these findings, however, it is doubtful if it will be
able to continue its imports of U.S. rice.