1.   Aventis CropScience, the maker of StarLink, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the corn temporarily for food use.

2.   Because of those concerns, the corn was approved for use as animal feed but not for human consumption.

3.   StarLink corn was not approved for food use because it contains proteins similar to ones known to cause allergic reactions.

4.   Until now the corn has been approved only for animal use because of concerns it might cause allergies.

5.   Aventis has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to approve the corn temporarily for food use to prevent further disruptions in grain handling.

6.   Corn prices received a boost from news that Japan was considering approving StarLink corn for feed use.

7.   Corn prices received a boost from news that Japan was considering approving StarLink corn for use as animal feed.

8.   EPA had approved the corn only for animal feed and industrial uses because of unresolved questions about whether it can cause allergenic reaction.

9.   EPA had approved the corn only for animal feed and industrial uses because of unresolved questions about whether it can cause allergic reactions.

10.   EPA never approved the corn, known as StarLink, for human consumption because of unresolved questions about its potential to cause allergic reactions.