A study linking a type of genetically modified corn developed by Monsanto to health risks in rats lacked sufficient scientific quality in order to arrive at any conclusions with regard to the safety of such crops, said European Food Safety Authority.
In September, researchers at the University of Caen, France, noted that when rodents were fed on Monsanto's NK603 GM corn, they were found to be at higher risk of developing tumours.
This study led to the temporary ban of NK603 by Russia, while France said that it would also impose a ban if the research findings have been confirmed, reported Reuters.
However, EFSA said that the study's objectives are unclear, and its design, analysis and reporting are inadequate for safety assessments.
According to EFSA authorities, who reviewed the paper, the authors did not establish appropriate control groups and opted for a strain of rat that was at naturally higher risk of developing a tumour.
