A ban on State purchases of vegetable oil processed from imported rapeseeds is to protect domestic farmers' economic interests and does not mean the government is concerned about the safety of genetically modified food, an industry insider said.

"Many enterprises have a growing interest in purchasing imported rapeseeds since the price in the international market has been lower than the domestic price in recent years. So the country imposed the ban this year to protect farmers' interests," a China Grain Reserve Corp official who declined to be named said on Tuesday.

The company's routine checks before purchasing rapeseed oil were mainly for oil content and impurities. But testing for GM ingredients was not part of the inspection, he said.