The safety of the nation's food has recently been called into question following the discovery of StarLink corn in a shipment of corn imported from the United States.
Some scientists think that StarLink, a genetically modified corn developed by the French biotech firm Aventis CropScience S.A. to repel harmful insects, can cause allergic reactions in humans because it contains a built-in pesticide that the human body does not readily break down.
The U.S. is the only country currently producing StarLink corn, and even there it can be used only in animal feed. In mid-September 2000, however, this corn was also found in tacos sold at U.S. stores.