It is more likely to be an allergic reaction. Grain importers at the five ports are to submit samples to the ministry for safety tests, the report said. A Japanese government plan to require labels on food made from genetically-modified crops threatens to harm U.S. agricultural exports, a top U.S. grain industry official said on Friday. Under the proposal approved this week by a government panel, food made from genetically-modified crops, such as certain corn and soybean varieties, would have to carry a mandatory label in Japan by April 2001. Standards for the labels are to be set by April 2000, giving foreign suppliers and domestic food manufacturers one year to prepare.
Japan is a major U.S. customer for corn and soybeans, as well as consumer-ready food items.
This announcement is very disappointing. Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. Consumers wanting to avoid genetically modified foods will be able to shop with renewed confidence from August 1st, following the introduction of The Vegetarian Society's GM free food approval policy. Shoppers will be aided by the Society's V symbol, a trusted symbol of vegetarian suitability, which from August 1st will guarantee that products are also free from GM crops and ingredients. The GM free policy, first proposed in August 1998, will be active from August 1st 1999.