Nikkei English News via Individual Inc. :
Kagome Co., responding to rising criticism from consumer groups and retailers, has decided to suspend marketing processed foods from genetically engineered tomatoes it developed with British firm Zeneca Ltd., company sources said Wednesday.
The company has already developed technology for cultivating the bio-tomatoes, which contain more dietary fiber than natural ones.
Because of fears about the safety of genetically engineered agricultural products, Kagome will put off applying to the Ministry of Health and Welfare for safety certification of the product, the sources added.
Kirin Brewery Co. (2503) has already applied for certification for a genetically engineered tomato with a longer shelf life, Kirin sources said.
The brewer plans to start selling fresh bio-tomatoes in 1999, expecting ministry approval as early as this fall. It was licensed to grow the tomatoes by Calgene Inc. of the U.S.
In the U.S. and Europe, ketchup, tomato sauce and other processed foods from bio-tomatoes have been on the market since around 1994.
