Planting genetically modified crops has been banned in Mexico since 1998. Officials of Mexico's Agriculture Department said there were no plans to halt imports, or demand labeling of genetically modified corn, a step US exporters say would raise costs significantly.
On Dec. 7, Australia is set to impose labeling requirements on genetically modified food products. Japan already has such limits in place.
In Europe, the EU has banned new imports of genetically modified foods since 1998, and is considering strict labelling procedures.
It is unclear how the genetically modified varieties got a foothold in Oaxaca. Samples showed altered strains in a government food distribution program, meaning that local residents may have planted some kernels that were intended only for consumption.
"It could have been accidental," Chapela said. "Or somebody may have seen it in a rural store and said, `That's a pretty kernel, I think I'll plant it.' It has no warning label. Either way, this shows how negligent authorities were to import this without labels."
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