Livestock, but not humans, will be allowed to eat the Aventis transgenic corn. The deal struck between Aventis and the EPA this week means that StarLink corn can no longer be planted for any agricultural purpose. The voluntary agreement represents far and away the fastest tool available to EPA for quickly removing StarLink corn from being planted for any agricultural purposes. StarLink corn has not been approved for direct human consumption because of unresolved questions regarding its effect on human health. The corn, which is engineered to be toxic to insects, has also been found to be heat stable and resistant to stomach acids and enzymes, indicating that it could cause allergies in humans.
Allergens can cause skin rashes, nausea, and respiratory problems.
In severe cases, allergens can cause anaphylactic shock or death. But the EPA was quick to emphasize that there is no evidence that the consumption of StarLink will lead to any of those problems. The USDA last month agreed to buy up all of this year's StarLink crop and sell it for animal feed and other related uses after the substance was detected in Taco Bell brand taco shells. The Taco Bell products, manufactured by Kraft Foods, were voluntarily recalled from grocery store shelves on September 22. Neither the voluntary or mandatory recall affected products sold at Taco Bell restaurants, although federal officials said they would test those foodstuffs as a precautionary measure.