Beijing, Sept 7 - China responded on Thursday to reports of Chinese genetically modified (GMO) rice being found in Europe by saying only that it had not approved commercial farming of such crops.
Greenpeace International, citing the results of laboratory tests, said on Tuesday Chinese rice modified to resist certain insects had been detected in samples of rice stick noodles in France and Germany, and also in rice vermicelli in Britain.
"We are aware of the relevant reports," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference.
"China has not approved commercial growing of any genetically modified rice," said Qin, adding that China's growing of GMO rice on experimental fields was for scientific research and regulated by law.
He did not elaborate.
Chinese quarantine officials reached by Reuters said they were investigating but gave no details.
Greenpeace said in March that illegal Chinese GMO rice had been found in baby food in a southern Chinese city, which was later denied by the Chinese Agriculture Ministry.