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U.S. Transgenic Rice Enters German Market, Chinese Rice Has Been Tested
Last week, several media outlets in Bavaria reported on the presence of genetically modified (GM) rice that had been banned from being sold in German supermarkets. This issue has raised concerns among consumers and regulators across Europe.
The European Union recently announced the results of an inspection on imported long-grain rice. Out of five samples tested, GM rice was detected in each one, leading to a ban on its import. Following this, the European Rice Processing Association conducted genetic tests on 162 U.S.-imported long-grain rice samples. The results revealed that 33 of them contained genetically modified rice. These products were found to have already entered the market. The EU shared these findings after a meeting of domestic supply experts concluded.
German Greenpeace experts claim that GM rice was first detected entering the EU in January of this year. In July, a U.S. official confirmed that LLRice601, a type of rice, was likely genetically modified. Five days later, the EU made a decision: it would still allow the import of long-grain rice from the U.S., provided that it could be proven not to be genetically modified. If there was any doubt, the suspected rice would need to be tested. An EU genetic expert, Henning Schederhofer, noted that Bayer had only experimented with one variety of GM rice in the U.S. between 1999 and 2001, but it was never cultivated on a large scale due to low yields. He suggested that the only explanation for the spread of GM rice in the U.S. was that it was accidentally mixed with non-GM rice during harvest and planting. This incident could mark the first legal case against Bayer in the U.S.
Greenpeace's survey in Germany found that rice under the "Bon-Ri" brand sold by ALDI Retail Group contained GM rice, specifically LLRice601 from the U.S. However, only eight out of 35 ALDI stores were involved, mainly in the northern region. The German importer is Euryza Co., Ltd., which distributes rice brands like Oryza and Reis-Fit. LLRice601 is listed as a prohibited GM rice in the EU.
German retailers responded differently. REWE Group said they immediately started testing their rice stock, while EDEKA claimed they would test new rice before selling it. They added that their own-brand rice comes from Europe and does not contain GM technology.
Friends of the Earth urged Bayer to cover the cost of testing, estimating around €200 per test. Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture stated that the importer should bear the responsibility.
A spokesperson from the German consumer protection center, Danie Teqieke, explained that GM rice cannot be identified by appearance. Since Germany bans GM rice, there are no labeling requirements for such products. For foods containing GM additives or organisms, labeling is required, but these products are rare. Some processed ingredients, like vitamins or spices, may come from GM microorganisms, and meat or dairy from animals fed GM feed might also contain traces. Consumers who want to avoid indirect GM products are advised to avoid labels like “green food†or “non-genetic technology.†If the GM content is below 0.9%, it’s considered negligible and doesn’t require labeling.
Currently, it’s believed that GM rice does not pose a health risk, but its uncontrolled spread brings economic risks to traders. The European Commission warned that this issue isn’t isolated to one country and could affect food processing chains. China is currently testing rice imports, and Greenpeace claims to have found transgenic rice noodles in Germany and other EU countries.