Chinese restaurants warned of banned GM rice from China

Chinese restaurant owners in London have been warned to look out for a banned strain of Genetically Modified rice from China.

Officers from Westminster City Council food team visited premises in Chinatown and across the city last Friday, after the Food Standards Agency released an alert about the rice products.

The products contain an unauthorised genetically modified rice known as Bt63 that has been deemed unsafe for consumption. The product was banned by the European Commission through an emergency measure on 15 April.

The FSA alert has been issued to all premises likely to use Chinese rice products across Westminster, including restaurants and food manufacturers.

Richard Block, operations manager for food, health and safety at Westminster council, said: "We've worked hard with the Chinese community to build on the reputation of Chinatown as a safe and enjoyable night out, which is why we've taken such tough, decisive action so soon after the alert to reassure the public and ensure those in the catering trade are fully aware of the restriction on this strain of genetically modified rice."

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By Gemma Sharkey

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