GM rice found at Hubei market

(ECNS) -- Rice sold at a supermarket in Hubei province was detected positive for genetically modified organisms (GMO), according to a report on Chinaconsumerreport.org on Friday.

The website said it conducted a sampling survey in November covering nine packages of different brands of rice sold in markets in Hubei province. The magazine entrusted a technology center under the Zhuhai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to carry out the tests.

The results show that one sample contained Bt63, a kind of genetically modified (GM) rice.

The sample detected positive for GMO was from a package of "Tian Gu Han Shui Fragrant Rice" brand, from Xiangyang city, Hubei province.

However,Hubei Tiangu Cereals, Oils & Foodstuffs Co., the producer of the packaged rice, responded that it was impossible.

"GM rice hasn't even been planted in Xiangyang," said Zhang Tianming, a manager at the company.

Ma Wenfeng, an analyst at a Beijing-based agriculture consulting company, said, "Introducing banned GM rice into the market has nothing to do with companies that sold the rice products, since the companies have not carried out scientific GM food screening tests."

"Seeds companies that put the banned seeds of GM rice on the market should shoulder the responsibility," Ma added.

Commercial cultivation of GM rice is banned in China.