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With global crop prices soaring and grains remaining in short supply, Koreans will soon see food produced from genetically modified organisms on their dinner tables in the near future. Consumers are uneasy although importers claim there are no safety problems with genetically modified foods.
First of all, large quantities of genetically altered corn produced in the U.S. will be imported, and corn starch and sugar products made from it will be sold in the market. Local corn starch and sugar producers decided to import GMO corn because GMO-free corn is in short supply due to soaring global prices.
Corn starch and starch sugar are commonly used in the production of confectioneries, beverages and ice creams. The distribution of genetically engineered corn starch in the market will mean a rapid proliferation of genetically modified organism in foods we consume. Korean companies that have decided to import genetically modified corn include Daesang, Samyang Genex, CPK, and ShinDongBang CP. Together they account for more than 90 percent of the domestic market.
Of course, domestic consumers have eaten food made with genetically modified soybean, knowingly and unknowingly, before. These foods were not subject to GMO labeling under domestic laws, which Korean consumers did not know about.
The Korea Food and Drug Administration has designated crops such as soybeans, corn and bean sprouts and 31 foods made with them subject to GMO labeling. But they are exempt from GMO labeling if they contain less than 3 percent amount of GMO substance or if their final products carry no GMO DNA or protein. Cooking oil made with genetically modified soybeans is also exempt from GMO labeling requirements, because only fat is extracted during the process and such cooking oil carries no GMO protein.
An executive with the Korean starch industry association said, "There is no need to worry about safety because Korea will limit imports to only 23 GMO corn varieties whose safety is guaranteed by U.S. and Korean food safety authorities."
But Europe has imposed much stricter constraints on the use of GMO ingredients. Food industry officials said they are concerned about consumer reaction to the fact that GMO starch will be used in the production of food, but scientists maintain there is no evidence proving that genetically modified foods are in any way harmful.
Regardless of food safety, consumers are talking about their right to choose foods they want. They complain that authorities are too lenient about labeling GMO foods.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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