Approval for two non-browning GM apples is being sought in Canada.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc is set to make submissions to the Food and Drug Administration, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada following a petition to the US department of agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in May 2010.
Arctic Granny Smith and Arctic Golden Delicious are going through the regulatory process, with the Arctic brand referring to their non-browning trait. Arctic Fuji and Arctic Gala are under development.
The process will take several years to complete but trials with commercial partners are getting started.
Neal Carter of Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc said: “A couple important points to note are that we are using the apples’ own DNA to deliver this trait and secondary browning due to bacterial or fungal contamination will still occur.
“Arctic apples will yield a benefit to all of those along the value chain. The grower will see less superficial finger bruising and experience less harvest and postharvest superficial scuff marks. The retailer gets less shrinkage and the fruit looks much better on display.
“The largest beneficiary is the foodservice industry, where fresh-cut apple snacks can be made without the use of antioxidants and dehydrated products can be made without metabisulphites.”
He added: “Our communication plan focuses on education, transparency, dialogue and experiencing the product firsthand to support consumer acceptance of this product. We know it will be a long process and that the introduction of the product will take considerable time and effort. However, we are convinced this effort is warranted as the product is worth it and the benefits down the road with respect to new products capable of yielding considerable environmental and consumer benefits will only happen if this effort is made.”
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