ID :
209226
Sun, 09/25/2011 - 06:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/209226
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S. Korea's GMO food imports nearly double in 2010
SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea saw its imports of genetically modified agricultural products grow nearly two-fold last year despite lingering concerns over the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMO) for human consumption, data showed Sunday.
The amount of imported GMO corn and soybeans to South Korea totaled 2.05 million tons in 2010, up 92 percent from 1.07 million tons in the previous year, according to the data by the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
GMO products accounted for 59.7 percent of all corn and soybean imports last year, up from 46.5 percent in 2009, the data showed.
The on-year increase was mostly fueled by a rise in GMO corn imports, which jumped 2.46-fold over the cited period, according to the data.
The data, meanwhile, showed that more than 99 percent of the imported GMO soybeans were used for extracting oil, while most of the imported GMO corn was used for producing sugar and starch.
Genetically altered grain for food use has long been shunned due to health concerns by consumers and food manufacturers in South Korea, which heavily relies on imports for its food supplies.
The amount of imported GMO corn and soybeans to South Korea totaled 2.05 million tons in 2010, up 92 percent from 1.07 million tons in the previous year, according to the data by the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
GMO products accounted for 59.7 percent of all corn and soybean imports last year, up from 46.5 percent in 2009, the data showed.
The on-year increase was mostly fueled by a rise in GMO corn imports, which jumped 2.46-fold over the cited period, according to the data.
The data, meanwhile, showed that more than 99 percent of the imported GMO soybeans were used for extracting oil, while most of the imported GMO corn was used for producing sugar and starch.
Genetically altered grain for food use has long been shunned due to health concerns by consumers and food manufacturers in South Korea, which heavily relies on imports for its food supplies.
