regarding over-fortified corn soy blend

USDA AND USAID INFORMATION ON OVER-FORTIFIED CORN SOY BLEND FOOD AID

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2005- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today issued the following information regarding over-fortified corn soy blend food aid:

Each year the U.S. government through the USDA and the USAID contributes over 3 million metric tons of food to help feed the undernourished people of the developing world. This assistance includes emergency programs aimed at meeting the most immediate needs of food-insecure populations.

One of these products, a vitamin and mineral fortified mixture of corn and soy, known as Corn Soy Blend (CSB), has proven especially effective in saving the lives of some of the most vulnerable and malnourished populations, particularly children. The U.S. provides over 250,000 metric tons of CSB as food aid annually.

Recently, USDA and USAID learned that a small percentage of CSB from one supplier (approximately 1,100 metric tons) was over-fortified with iron during the production process.

Although experts advise that there is no serious health impact from consuming mineral over-fortified CSB, USAID and USDA have previously notified and instructed all partners in the field to immediately suspend distribution of the product until further testing is completed. The State Department notified embassies of the action being taken and advised them to inform foreign governments of the suspension.

The U.S. government has suspended all further purchases of CSB from the single supplier of the affected product until a thorough review of their production process can be completed. All CSB from this supplier within the U.S. is being held and tested.

The small amount of product from this supplier currently in transport has been diverted for further testing. Stocks already in country have been identified and set aside.

USDA anticipates initial testing results will be completed within the next 10 days. Once testing results are analyzed the U.S. government will continue to act decisively to ensure the health and safety of the beneficiaries of U.S. food aid.

SOURCE: USDA Release No. 0190.05 Contact: Office of Communication (202)720-4623