Survey of the presence of unauthorised genetically modified rice LLRICE601 in long grain rice imported from the USA

During a three-week period in September/October 2006, 31 samples of US long grain rice were taken from eight mills in the UK.

Of the 31 samples tested, three tested positive for the presence of the unauthorised genetically modified (GM) rice LLRICE601.

Where positive samples were identified, the mill in question and its local authority were notified.

Following the accidental contamination of US long grain rice with the non-authorised GM variety, LLRICE601, European Commission Decision 2006/578/EC was published on 24 August 2006. This decision introduced emergency measures regarding LLRICE601 in US long grain rice and included a requirement for all imports of US long grain rice to be certified free from LLRICE601. Member States are also required to take appropriate measures including random sampling and analysis, in relation to products already on the market, and to inform the European Commission (EC) of the results. This decision was replaced on 5 September 2006 by Commission Decision 2006/601/EC which includes the same requirements.

When the LLRICE601 contamination came to light, Bayer CropScience (the company that developed this GM organism) provided safety data to the relevant authorities in the United States, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The US FDA has reviewed data related to the safety of LLRICE601 and has stated that it poses no food or feed safety concerns.

An updated version of the safety data was also provided to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA�s GMO Panel evaluated the data at their meeting in September and concluded that, while the data are insufficient to conduct the full risk assessment that would be required for authorisation of LLRICE601 within the EU, 'the consumption of imported long grain rice containing trace levels of LLRICE601 is not likely to pose an imminent safety concern to humans or animals' .

The Food Standards Agency carried out this survey to provide information on the presence of this GM organism in US long grain rice held at UK rice mills to ensure that further contaminated rice did not enter the food supply chain. The FSA also instructed local authorities to sample batches of rice from a shipment that arrived in the EU after the entry into force of the emergency decision. No GM rice has been authorised for sale in the EU, and in accordance with the GM Food and Feed Regulation (EC) 1829/2003, the sale of any GM rice is therefore not permitted.

Further information on the background to the contamination of US long grain rice by LLRICE601 can be found in a press release issued by the Food Standards Agency on 1 September 2006, and in a meeting paper presented to the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processed at their 23 September 2006 meeting.