Aventis Submits New StarLink Data

April 25, 2001

New data concerning the levels of StarLink corn protein in processed foods have been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency by Aventis Crop Sciences, and are being made publicly available. Aventis' new data appear to indicate that potential exposure to the StarLink corn protein in finished food products is significantly lower than previous estimates.

"The new information appears to confirm (EPA's) assessment that the process of wet-milling corn effectively eliminates StarLink protein from finished food products such as corn oil, corn syrup, alcohol and corn starch," said EPA.

New information also was provided on the potential levels of StarLink corn protein in finished food products derived from the corn dry-milling process. According to Aventis' findings, for test products made from 100% StarLink corn, the dry-milling process denatures but does not eliminate completely the presence of StarLink protein in the finished food products.

EPA said it would "carefully evaluate this new information as it continues to review Aventis' pending request to authorize StarLink corn in the human food supply."

Officials at EPA also said the new information likely will be "an important addition to the growing body of scientific data on the potential allergenicity of StarLink corn protein." EPA sought guidance concerning the scientific assessment of StarLink corn in the food supply from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) in a Nov. 28, 2000 meeting.

The Dec. 5 report for that meeting said that additional data were needed to more accurately assess the potential exposure to StarLink corn protein in finished food products.

Pending a comprehensive evaluation of all scientific information available on human health concerns related to StarLink corn, EPA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are continuing to coordinate a federal effort, in cooperation with growers, millers, the food industry and Aventis, to divert StarLink corn away from the human food supply.

"USDA has been very successful working with growers and seed companies to ensure that bags of corn seed intended for the 2001 growing season are tested for the presence of StarLink corn and are not planted if found to contain StarLink," according to EPA. FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are continuing their investigation of cases in which people reported experiencing allergic reactions from eating corn products. Results of this investigation are expected later this Spring and will be made publicly available.

EPA will use the Aventis data as well as the results of the CDC work and all other available data related to StarLink in evaluating the company's tolerance petition. The new information on StarLink corn submitted by Aventis is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides.