January 17, 2001

USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has evaluated two rapid test kits to determine StarLink corn in corn grain. GIPSA performed its evaluations on Envirologix Inc. QuickStix kit and Strategic Diagnostics Inc. Trait Bt9 kit and concluded that the performance of both kits meets the manufacturer's claims of identification of one StarLink corn kernel in 800 corn kernels. GIPSA's verification of tests is performed on grain only as opposed to processed foods.

GIPSA began offering official testing service for StarLink on Nov.15 after the grain markets expressed the need for government backed testing and to ensure that corn export markets to Japan were supplied with corn free of StarLink. StarLink is a variety of corn developed by Aventis Crop Science that incorporates biotechnical modification to control insect damage. StarLink is approved for animal feed and industrial use only and is no longer available as seed for production. For more information on StarLink testing services, see GIPSA's web site at http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/biotech/starlink/starlink.htm. For information on test kit performance evaluation and laboratory accreditation services, visit http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/biotech/evalaccredit.htm. The information contact is Steve Tanner, director, GIPSA Technical Services Division, 816-891-0401.