CRISPR-edited bananas that resist turning brown approved in UK and 10 countries
8 hours ago
- Gene-edited bananas that resist browning after slicing are one step closer to reaching British shoppers.
- Developed by Tropic, the bananas have the same taste and texture but stay fresh and yellow for an extra day or two, longer if chilled.
- The innovation could make it easier to include bananas in prepackaged products like fruit salads and reduce food waste.
- Defra approved a marketing notice, confirming precision-bred status; FSA will review safety before market authorization.
- Precision-bred organisms do not contain DNA from unrelated species, unlike genetic modification.
- Tropic used Crispr-Cas9 to reduce polyphenol oxidase, the enzyme causing browning.
- The non-browning bananas could cut food waste and CO2-equivalent emissions by over 25% in the supply chain.
- Government stats show 1.4m edible bananas are thrown away daily, with 30% of consumers discarding due to minor blemishes.
- Gene editing has also been used for sweeter strawberries, disease-resistant crops, and compact or vitamin D-rich tomatoes.
- Precision-bred regulations apply to England; authorized foods can be sold in Wales and Scotland under certain conditions.
- Tropic has gained regulatory approval in 10 other countries, and the fruit is already grown in Latin America.
- Defra highlights potential benefits including boosted food security, reduced pesticide use, and improved sustainability.