Publication: The Asahi Shimbun
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2002

Traces of genetically modified soybeans were detected in 33 percent of ``organically grown`` tofu and natto products, a recent inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has found.

The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is banned for foods labeled ``organic`` under the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) Law.

The ministry found genetically engineered soybeans in 25 of 76 products inspected. It was not immediately known what percentage of the raw materials in the products was genetically altered, ministry sources said.

They said the genetically modified soybeans showed no signs of health risks in safety checks conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

But the farm ministry`s findings will likely infuriate the increasing number of consumers who shun GMO products out of safety concerns and prefer organic foods grown without chemicals.

The farm ministry is planning to look further into the ingredients and production processes of the products for possible violations of the JAS Law concerning proper labeling of agricultural and forestry products, according to the sources.

Between mid-June and July, the ministry examined the genes of 47 tofu bean curd products and 29 natto fermented soybean products, all from different sales companies, purchased at stores nationwide.

Engineered genes were found in 20 tofu products and five types of natto. For seven other natto products, the study was impossible because the genes had dissolved in the fermentation process, the sources said.

Since April 2001, the government has required ``organic foods`` to be approved by organizations accredited by the farm ministry and to be labeled as such.

Foods bearing these labels cannot contain genetically modified ingredients, let alone be grown with farm chemicals, according to the standards.

The farm ministry plans to further examine the ingredients to pinpoint the ratio of GMOs.

In addition, it will try to determine whether faulty procurements or a mix-up during the production process caused the genetically altered soybeans to end up in the products, according to the sources.

Genetically modified soybeans are produced with genes resistant to herbicides or insects. The genes improve the plants` strength and increase output.(IHT/Asahi: August 29,2002)