September 23, 2022 — A genetically engineered purple, no matter how you slice the story tomatoYou are now one step closer to being in U.S. grocery shops.
The U.K. firm that is developing the new purple fruits has passed the first test with U.S regulators. It proved that genetic changes to tomatoes don’t increase the risk of pest damage.
The new SECURE law was first passed in the United States by the purple tomatoes. Between May 2020 and October 2021, the SECURE Act was enacted in stages. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has updated its review procedures. Genetically modifiedFoods that are more about the food than the process.
More than Skin Deep
These tomatoes should not be confused with tomatoes that have purple skin only. The purple snapdragon plants have genes that give the tomato its color and increase levels of anthocyanins. Norfolk Plant Sciences states that tomatoes contain 10x more of this. Antioxidant These tomatoes are healthier than regular tomatoes and have additional health benefits.
Also known as “super tomatoes,” the purple tomatoes can now be imported, cross state lines, and be “released” into the environment. Once they have received final regulatory approval, the company will provide seed packets for home gardeners.
Norfolk used a common agricultural bacteria, appropriately named agrobacterium, to bring the genetic changes to the Micro Tom tomato variety. Next, the company crossed the breeding of the Micro Tom tomato variety with other varieties to make the same changes.
GMOs can sometimes be hard to spot on grocery shelves. Although many GMOs are genetically modified to make it easier to ship or longer lasting on shelves, these properties don’t change their look. But, deep purple tomatoes from Norfolk Plant Sciences are sure to stand out in produce aisles.
Move over, eggplant. You’re not the only purple fruit in town. (Yes, both are fruits.)
Food Innovation: Are You Ready?
“We are pleased that the USDA reviewed our bioengineered purple tomato and reached the decision that ‘from a plant pest risk perspective, this plant may be safely grown and used in breeding in the United States,’” says Nathan Pumplin, PhD, CEO of Norfolk Plant Science’s U.S.-based commercial arm.
“This decision represents an important step to enable innovative scientists and small companies to develop and test new, safe products with consumers and farmers,” Pumplin says.
Andrew Walmsley is the senior director of government affairs at American Farm Bureau Federation. He says that the new federal law was created to foster innovation and reduce pest risks.
“We have been genetically modifying plants and animals since we ceased being mostly hunters and gatherers,” Walmsley says. “Improved genetics provide a multitude of societal benefits including, but not limited to, more nutritious food.”
Concerns from the Non-GMO Camp
These new tomatoes are not for everyone.
When asked what consumers should consider, “We want them to be aware that if this is a genetically modified product,” says Hans Eisenbeis, director of mission and messaging at the non-GMO Project, a nonprofit organization in Bellingham, WA, that verifies consumer products that do not contain GMO ingredients.
“GMOs are pretty ubiquitous in our food system,” he says. “It’s important that [consumers] know this particular tomato is genetically engineered in case they are choosing to avoid GMOs.”
He says there are many other ways to obtain high levels of anthocyanins. blueberries.
Eisenbeis considers the SECURE law changes a “deregulation” of GMOs in agriculture, weakening the ability of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to regulate these products.
One concern is that the same mechanism used to genetically modify this plant could be used for others and “open up the door potentially for genetic applications that are entirely unregulated,” Eisenbeis says.
Acknowledging there are skeptics of GMO products, Pumplin says, “Skepticism can be a good start to learning when it is followed by gathering solid information. We encourage people to learn about the science-based facts of GMOs and the ways that GMOs can benefit consumers and the climate.”
“In addition, there are many non-GMO and Organic Certified products available on the market, and consumers who choose to avoid GMOs have many good choices,” Pumplin adds. “New products improved with biotechnology will offer extra choices to some consumers who are interested in the benefits.”
What will they do?
However, the SECURE rule has cleared the first regulatory hurdle. This does not mean purple tomatoes are ready to be sold. There may still be federal regulation, including from the FDA, EPA, or other divisions within the USDA. The Agriculture Marketing Service may require that tomatoes meet certain label requirements.
Norfolk Plant Sciences submitted a voluntary report on food and feed safety to the FDA.
The time will show what other hurdles the purple tomato must overcome before it forms a purple pyramid in your local produce section.
“We want to bring our tomatoes to market with care and without rushing them,” Pumplin says.
