In July, trace amounts of LL Rice 601 were detected in long grain rice samples from Arkansas and missouri that were targeted for commercial use. Due to this, EU food safety authorities have tightened requirements on US rice imports into EU, where no biotech rice is allowed to be imported or sold.

At present, the EU allows only imports of U.S. long grain rice tested by an accredited laboratory using a validated detection method. Shipments must be accompanied by a certificate assuring the absence of LL 601.

The extent, origin and timeframe when the contamination have not yet been disclosed, although there were indications that the GMO contamination may have first been detected in January.

Read the latest report from Reuters a detailed overview and backgrounder on LL601 at AlterNet.