Beijing, March 31 - China said on Friday that U.S. food company H.J. Heinz Co. was in the clear after investigations into a report that it had used genetically modified rice in baby food made by a China joint venture.
Forty-three varieties of baby food products of Heinz-UFE Ltd. were tested after environmental group Greenpeace said earlier this month it had found genetically modified rice in its baby food.
"The results show that the 43 varieties of baby products and their raw materials tested display no genetically modified components," China's Agricultural Ministry said on its Web site.
China has not approved sales of any kind of genetically modified rice.
GMO crops contain a gene from another organism, giving the plants characteristics such as resistance to herbicides and the ability to produce their own toxins to kill pests. Opponents fear there will be health and environmental consequences.