The first commercial crop of Arctic Apples—a genetically modified (GMO) non-browning variety—are about to hit the market. In February 2015, the Arctic Golden Delicious and Arctic Granny varieties were both deemed safe for consumption by the USDA; marking the first time the federal agency approved an aesthetically-improved genetically engineered food.
According to Good Fruit Grower, Okanogan Specialty Fruits is expecting to harvest its first commercial crop of about 50 bins of Arctic Golden Delicious in Washington this year.
The Canadian company will also plant its first Arctic Granny Smiths this year and is awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a third variety, the Arctic Fuji. On Dec. 31, 2015, the company formally submitted a petition to the USDA requesting the deregulation of its GMO Fuji, and announced plans for its fourth variety, the Arctic Gala.
Neal Carter, company president and founder, told Good Fruit Grower that his company has planted roughly 15 acres of Goldens in Washington, which will yield a small crop this fall.
The venture plans to add more acreage mostly in Washington this year for its Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny varieties, with even more in other states and Canada in the following few years.
Carter said that the first apples will be test marketed in select stores this year. As production ramps up, more apples will by distributed to locations in the U.S. and Canada. Carter declined to name which growers, packers or retailers will be working with Arctic Apples.
Some environmental organizations and consumers have criticized the USDA’s stamp of approval. The USDA’s environmental review received 73,000 comments opposing the commercialization of the apples.
Following consumer backlash, a number of major food companies such as Wendy’s, McDonald’s and Gerber expressed that they had no plans to source or sell the GMO apple.
Source: ecowatch.com
