The StarLink scandal made headlines, generated thousands of news articles and TV clips, and brought home the realization to American consumers that the nation's supermarkets include an extensive inventory of untested, unlabeled, genetically engineered foods. The FDA estimates that 8 percent of all U.S. children are now plagued by food allergies, and that the situation is growing worse.
Nutritionists warn of a suspected link between food allergies and asthma.
Then on October 11, and again on October 25, GEFA announced that StarLink corn had been detected in Safeway corn taco shells, Mission Foods corn products, and Western Family brand corn tacos. This forced further recalls. Meanwhile, the White House sent emergency teams to Japan and Europe, trying to reassure major U.S. trading partners that the StarLink controversy would be kept under control. Kraft and a number of supermarket chains have voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of oversight of GE crops by U.S. regulatory agencies. Fallout from the StarLink scandal will likely continue.