According to the Organic Consumer Association, Greenpeace found the presence of genetically engineered rice in an Anheuser- Busch rice mill in Arkansas.
The presence of GE rice (Bayer LL601) was discovered by an independent laboratory commissioned by Greenpeace; the GE-rice was detected in three out of four samples.
Anheuser-Busch told Greenpace that “all Budweiser exported from the US or manufactured outside of the US is guaranteed GE-free”. Greenpeace International GE Campaigner, Doreen Stabinsky, says that beer consumers should pressure Anheuser-Busch to explain the “double standard”.
The company told Greenpeace that the rice is approved by the U.S. and that it is not used in exported beverages.
About 30 percent of rice stocks in the U.S. are contaminated with one of three genetically modified rice patents.
LL601 GE rice was retroactively granted approval by the US Dept of Agriculture in an effort to reduce public concern and company liability despite 15,000 public objections. The European Food Safety Authority stated that there was insufficient data to make a finding of safety. Greenpeace says that US consumers have a right to know if this GE rice is used to make Budweiser. This GE rice is not approved outside the US so the Budweiser brewed with it could not be sold abroad.
No explanation for the contamination exists.
Anheuser-Busch is the "largest single rice buyer in the U.S."Available through exports and local brewing, Budweiser beer is found in about 60 countries.
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