Publication: Dow Jones Newswires
Date: Wednesday, August 08, 2001

TOKYO (Kyodo)--A study group on food sanitation and biotechnology under a health ministry council said Wednesday that U.S.-based Monsanto Co.`s (MON) New Leaf Plus genetically modified potatoes are safe, Kyodo News Service reports.

The group, comprising outside experts under the council on pharmaceutical affairs and food sanitation of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, also decided, in line with its finding, to compile a report that the potatoes pose no health risks.

The group said the import and sale of the gene-altered potatoes are expected to be officially approved in the fall at the earliest after top-level deliberations and assessment of public opinion, according to Kyodo.

The gene-altered New Leaf Plus is approved for consumption in the United States and Canada, but not in Japan.

Under Japan`s Food Sanitation Law, the safety of GM foods must be assessed before they are allowed for import and sale. The Monsanto Japan Ltd. requested for such an assessment in October 1998.

Recent detection of New Leaf Plus potatoes prompted a series of snack-food recalls by five companies, including Calbee Foods Co.

Three of the firms also detected another genetically modified variety of potato called New Leaf Y.

Products containing New Leaf Y will still be banned for import or sale since there has been no request for a safety assessment on this variety.