The Ministry of Agriculture on Friday cleared Heinz baby cereal products of allegations they contained genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Three independent testing organizations tested 43 samples in response to claims by international environmental organization Greenpeace earlier this month that the baby cereal product of batch number 20051212, produced by Guangzhou-based Heinz (China) Investment Company Ltd, contained GMOs.

Heinz denied the allegations, saying all of its raw materials came from the Chinese mainland and contained no GMOs.

The ministry's biological safety office arranged for independent testing of the Heinz products and raw materials used in the products.

Samples of 20 batches, including batch 20051212 tested by Greenpeace were taken from the marketplace in Beijing, Shijiazhuang in North China's Hebei Province and Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province, according to Fang Xiangdong, an official with the biological safety office.

Another 20 samples of baby cereal products in stock were tested, along with a further three samples of raw materials (rice).

"The tests have all abided by legal process and technical standards," Fang said.

Heinz China was "pleased to see that the government's test result confirmed there were no GMOs in its baby cereal products," said Donald Gadsden, CEO of Heinz China, on Friday.

Sales of Heinz baby food were hit hard when Greenpeace published its test result on March 14.

A saleswoman at Lijiababy Shop, surnamed Zhao, said many mothers had returned Heinz baby foods to the shop for a refund.

"Not only Heinz baby cereal, but also other baby foods produced by Heinz have been affected," said Zhao.

Gadsden would not disclose the extent of the impact the GMO claim has had on Heinz.

(China Daily 04/01/2006 page2)