News | November 17, 2000

ConAgra recalls 1.45 mln lbs StarLink-tainted flour

In its weekly Enforcement report published Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that ConAgra Foods Inc. recalled 25- and 100-lb bags of cornmeal, corn flour, snack meal, grits, polenta and cereal binder totaling more than 1.45 million pounds.

The products were recalled because they may contain traces of StarLink corn, a variety not allowed in human food because of concerns it might cause allergic reactions in people. In 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency approved StarLink for use only in animal feed.

ConAgra began the recall on October 4.

The recalled items, which were milled at ConAgra's Atchison, Kansas plant, include the following:


  • Cahokia Pride Yellow Corn Meal, packaged in 25-lb bags coded 09/29/00.
  • Dixianna Enriched Yellow Cornmeal, packaged in 25-lb bags coded 09/29/00.
  • ConAgra Corn Meal 116C, 100-lb bags coded 10/03/00.
  • USA Cornmeal Yellow Enriched, Degermed, packaged in 25-kg bags coded Lot 910, labeled Contract No. VEPD02706/
  • Sysco Classic Yellow Corn Meal, packaged in plain brown 25-lb bags coded 09/29/00.
  • ConAgra Corn Flour 110, packaged in 50-lb and 100-lb bags coded 09/29/00.
  • ConAgra Snack Meal 128 Enr, packaged in 50-lb bags coded 09/30/00.
  • ConAgra Snack Meal 128, packaged in 50-lb bags coded 09/30/00.
  • Alberto A-1 Coarse Cornmeal Polenta Grits 95B, packaged in 50-lb bags coded 09/29/00 and 10/01/00.
  • Bulk Pregel/cereal binder, product #201.

The amounts recalled totaled 219,854-lb of corn meal; 416,780-lb of corn flour; 106,250-lb of snack meal; 435,500-lb of flaking grits; 135,000-lb of polenta grits; and 137,100-lb of cereal binder.

The FDA Enforcement Report is published weekly by the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. It contains information on actions taken in connection with agency Regulatory activities. To find out about other FDA food recalls, visit their site at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/ENF00668.html

Edited by Pam Ahlberg,
Managing Editor, Food Online