As late as 5th of October it was reported in Iceland that food products contaminated by American GM rice had been identified in a number of countries. The GM rice variety was grown on trial plots 5 years ago but had not been authorized for production or marketing. No independent studies had been carried out on its potential impact on health and environment.

Many countries are now demanding an independent testing of shipments by accredited laboratories prior to import authorisations. Over the course of the last months several shipments have been stopped and products recalled due to the contamination by the GM rice.

It is cause for deep concern that the Icelandic authorities did not react to this, f.e by notifying companies and the public immediately about the issue. The public was alerted to the matter through other channels several weeks after the EU made its announcement. This indicates a need for improved communication and quicker reaction by the regulatory agencies on issues relating to food security and consumer protection.

Several imported food products contaminated?
A number of imported food products may contain the GM rice. The legal director of the US Centre for Food Safety recently stated that "illegal, potentially hazardous rice is in grain bins, on supermarket shelves, in cereal, beer, baby foods and all rice products".

Independent testing must be carried out
It is essential that the Icelandic authorities carry out testing of imported food products known to contain American rice. The results should be published so that importers, retailers and consumers can act accordingly.

American certificates accompanying rice shipments have proved unreliable, as demonstrated by a recent shipment to the Netherlands "certified" as non-GM which turned out to be contaminated by the very LL601 GM rice.

The biotech company responsible for the GM rice ()Bayer Crop Science) is now seeking all means to have the LL601 GM rice approved retrospectively in order to avoid financial liability. Even if that were to happen the GM rice remains illegal in Europe since it has not passed the EU safety testing and risk assessment.

Press release 6 October 2006 by
The Information Campaign on GMOs in Iceland
www.erfdabreytt.net