Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has received an application to approve the use and sale of genetically modified (GM) purple tomatoes in Australia and New Zealand.
The tomatoes contain genes from the snapdragon plant, Del and Ros1-N, which cause the production of blue pigments, resulting in purple skin and flesh. If approved, the GM purple tomato could be sold fresh as whole tomatoes or used as an ingredient in processed products such as sun-dried tomatoes or pastes.
FSANZ stated that its safety assessment "found no public health or safety concerns with food derived from purple tomato lines containing event Del/Ros1-N. It is as safe as food from conventional tomato varieties."
FSANZ chief executive Dr. Sandra Cuthbert said this is the sixth genetically modified food being assessed under a joint process with Health Canada to streamline approvals. "If approved, food from these tomato lines would need to be labelled as genetically modified under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, ensuring consumers have the information they need to make informed choices," she said.
The application covers only the use of GM purple tomatoes as food. In Australia, an application for commercial cultivation is under review by the Gene Technology Regulator. Cultivation in New Zealand would require separate approval from the Environmental Protection Authority. Importation of viable seeds into either country remains subject to existing biosecurity and quarantine rules. Public comment on the application closes on 10 September.
Source: RNZ News
