Mexican authorities announced Monday that a working group will investigate the impact of imports of genetically modified (GM) corn on the country's tortillas, a national staple food typically made from corn flour, amid a trade dispute with the United States.

The United States has requested trade consultations with Mexico after its government decided to restrict imports of GM corn, arguing that it can contaminate Mexico's ancient native varieties and have negative impacts on human health.

The U.S., which says Mexico's claims lack scientific backing, has requested consultations under a chapter of the U.S. trade deal on food safety, which requires a science-based approach to domestic regulations.

The Mexican health authority Cofepris, together with its scientific council Conacyt, announced the creation of the working group in a statement, stating that it will have a role in assessing the risks associated with the consumption of transgenic maize.

The country said in February it would ban the consumption of GMO corn — including use in tortillas — backtracking on previous plans that also obscured the future of animal feed imports, the destination of the vast majority of its imported corn.

Mexico mainly produces white corn, used to make tortillas, but has a deficit of yellow corn, used for livestock consumption and industrial applications.

The country imports about 17 million tons of corn from the United States each year. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the country's annual exports to Mexico totaled about $5 billion in 2022.

Source: Agrolink