Kellogg Forced to Close Cereal Plant

Kellogg Co. has been forced to shut down production at a cereal plant because it has been unable to find corn that is guaranteed to be free of a genetically modified grain, food industry sources said Friday. The shutdown was the most visible evidence of problems occurring throughout the U.S. food industry since officials discovered that the genetically engineered corn had been widely distributed throughout the country, industry officials said. Kellogg would not confirm the shutdown. Spokeswoman Chris Ervin said the company--which produces Frosted Flakes and Special K cereals along with other products--”doesn’t discuss production schedules for competitive reasons.” But two sources familiar with the situation, who asked not to be named, said the food giant, based in Battle Creek, Mich., had ceased production at the plant in midweek, and one said it remained closed.