Reuters | December 17, 1999
ROME - The Italian government has temporarily suspended the use of seven genetically-modified food products, a Health Ministry statement said on Friday.
"Following opinions from the Italian Health Institute and the Health Council, the Health Ministry will take a precautionary step, in conformity with EU regulations, to suspend temporarily the use of the substances," it said.
According to the opinion of the Health Council, made available to Reuters, the seven GM products are maize Bt11, maize Mon 810, rapeseed oil Gt73, rapeseed oil MS1 RS1, rapeseed oil RF2 MS1, maize Mon 809 and maize T25.
The Health Ministry statement said the suspension followed complaints by environmental groups over allegedly irregular sales procedure, but the ministry gave no details and did not say how long the suspension could last.
The Health Council said it was not possible to guarantee that genetic alteration of foods was safe.
Copyright 1999 Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved.
