WASHINGTON-Government regulators from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are trying to determine how a strain of bioengineered corn that was not approved for human consumption made its way onto grocery store shelves.

The anti-biotech coalition Genetically Engineered Food Alert (GEFA) purchased Taco Bell brand taco shells (made by the Kraft subsidiary of Phillip Morris) at a grocery store. Tests by the testing lab Genetic ID identified the presence of a corn variety called StarLink, which is sold by Aventis Corp. The corn was approved in 1998 by federal authorities for animal feed, but was denied approval for human use because of allergen concerns. The corn contains Bacillus thuringienis (Bt) pesticide and the protein Cry9C. While several types of bioengineered corn contain Bt, StarLink is the only one with the Cry9C protein, which may not be easily absorbed in the gut, possibly causing an allergic reaction.

While the biotechnology industry stated that the testing could have been in error, spokespeople from Aventis and Kraft, as well as federal regulators, assured consumers that all steps were being taken to find the cause. Kraft's vice president for corporate affairs, Michael Mudd, told the Washington Post that "Kraft is doing everything we can to confirm whether or not this material is present in the product. If it is confirmed, we will immediately take--in consultation with the FDA--all appropriate steps."

Those steps would likely include a recall of the product, as well an investigation into the cause of the contamination. The issue has also raised the question of whether there is a problem in the regulation of bioengineered crops. "This discovery just shows that genetically engineered ingredients should not be on the grocery store shelves when so poorly regulated by FDA," Rep. Dennis Kuchinich (D-Ohio) was quoted as saying in a release from GEFA. "It should concern American consumers that this is a glimpse of things to come as genetically engineered products are rushed to store shelves without real mandatory safety testing and labeling programs in place."

Major press outlets were following the story; it was expected to be covered tonight (Sept. 18) on CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. For more information, visit www.gefoodalert.org.