Swiss biotechnology company Syngenta AG said this week it mistakenly sold to farmers an experimental genetically engineered corn seed that was never approved by U.S. regulators.
Hundreds of tons of the genetically engineered seed and resulting corn crop were shipped in the United States and overseas between 2001 and 2004. Federal investigators said there was no health or environmental risk because of the seed's similarity to another Syngenta product already approved for sale and consumption.
Even so, the admission led to renewed criticism from opponents of biotechnology who claim the industry needs tighter government scrutiny.