Calls for GM corn to be banned 

Source: ONE News

• WATCH the video (1:50)

The Green Party is calling on food safety authorities to join the European Union in withdrawing approval for genetically modified corn.

The controversial corn has been approved for human consumption in New Zealand in case it ever got into the country's food chain.

The corn, originally for animal consumption, contains extra lysine - an essential amino acid needed to make protein in the body.

However, critics say that when it is cooked lysine is combined with sugar, which can cause health problems.

"It's been associated with such things as Type 2 Diabetes, and with Alzheimers and with cancer," Canterbury University scientist Jack Heinemann told ONE News.

Heinemann says European officials have now taken his views on board, including claims the trials were flawed.

"They've effectively asked Monsanto to re-do all of its studies using the proper controls," says Heinemann, talking about food giant Monsanto's successful bid in getting approval for the modified corn.

However, other authorities aren't so concerned.

"We've talked to the Europeans - this withdrawal is just on commercial grounds, nothing to do with safety. Our system in New Zealand and Australia is well regarded right around the world, and we certainly won't be changing it," says Lydia Buchtmann of Food Safety Australia New Zealand.

However, Buchtmann conceded that the corn was never cooked and tested.

"We looked at the data and came to the conclusion that cooking made no difference to safety," she adds.