At least Forty-four Americans are claiming that they became ill after eating foods containing StarLink corn, a genetically modified type of corn approved only for animal consumption.

Scientists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they are investigating the claims that the corn, known as StarLink, might have caused:

• Rashes
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Vomiting
  
• Itching
  
• Life-threatening anaphylactic shock

"We're continuing to follow these people and are trying to get as much medical information as we can," said Karl Klontz, an FDA epidemiologist.

StarLink was approved for use only as animal feed in 1998 because of concerns that its protein might cause allergic reactions in humans. Traces of the corn turned up in taco shells in September being exposed by Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org), an environmental advocacy group, after triggering a recall of more than 300 kinds of foods and widespread genetic testing by food manufacturers.

The EPA is currently considering whether to grant Aventis SA, which developed the corn, temporary approval to use StarLink in human food. The company faces potentially huge costs if the agency maintains its restrictions on StarLink.

• Of the 44 people who blamed StarLink for their illness, 13 went to a doctor for treatment.

While Aventis contends that its scientific data shows that only a minuscule amount has entered the human food supply and a typical American would consume nowhere near enough to cause allergic reactions, environmental and consumer activists argue that not enough data is yet available to clear StarLink of health risks.

Of the illnesses reported to the FDA:

• 59 percent were deemed to be "compatible" with food allergy symptoms.

Reuters November 29, 2000