Australia Approves First GM Purple Tomatoes for Sale
In a landmark decision for Australian agriculture and nutrition, genetically modified purple tomatoes have been officially approved for sale. This marks the first time a GM crop with nutritional biofortification as its primary trait has received commercial approval in the country.
Health Benefits of Purple Tomatoes
The distinctive purple colour of these tomatoes comes from anthocyanin, a potent antioxidant also found in fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and plums. Dr Joseph Pegler, a senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle, explains that these compounds are naturally occurring plant pigments with significant health benefits.
"They have been shown to provide protective effects against a range of human diseases," Dr Pegler said. "This represents a positive application of science to improve human health, environmental sustainability, and food security."
Scientific Research and Approval Process
Professor Phil Brewer from La Trobe University highlighted that the purple tomato is a product of modern breeding technologies. "They are a food innovation resulting from the transfer of two anthocyanin biosynthesis genes from snapdragon flowers into tomato," he said.
Research has demonstrated that anthocyanins offer multiple health advantages:
- Protection against heart disease
- Improved eyesight
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects
- Potential prevention of obesity and diabetes
Notably, studies showed that these purple tomatoes prolonged the life of cancer-susceptible mice.
Regulatory Framework and Safety
The Australian Gene Technology Regulator issued the licence for the purple tomato's release in early January, following Food Standards Australia New Zealand's declaration of safety in June last year. FSANZ found the GM purple tomato to be "as safe as food from conventional tomatoes already in the Australian and New Zealand food supply."
Dr Pegler emphasised that GM organisms can only be released in Australia "following a highly rigorous and transparent approval process, involving independent scientific risk assessment." They will be monitored under the Gene Technology Act 2000 to ensure protection of human health and the environment.
Labelling and Distribution Plans
Dr Heather Bray from the University of Western Australia confirmed that the tomatoes will be labelled as GM when they appear on supermarket shelves. However, food served in cafes and restaurants will be exempt from this labelling requirement.
Seed company Norfolk Healthy Produce has partnered with All Aussie Farmers to distribute the product in Australia. Travis Murphy, managing director of All Aussie Farmers, stated that seeds should arrive within the next month, with cultivation planned for rural Queensland.
"We aim to have the tomatoes for sale around spring," Mr Murphy said. "We're targeting stores that want that point of difference, and we might look at some direct sales to Harris Farm."
The product, named Purple Bliss, represents a significant step forward in food innovation, combining scientific advancement with potential health benefits for Australian consumers.
