US Agriculture Department approves genetically modified non-browning apples

Two genetically modified varieties of non-browning apples, Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny Smith, may soon be commercially available following approval from the US Agriculture Department.

These apples are said to retain their fresh appearance and colour without turning brown after being sliced or bruised.

The development is expected to increase the sale of apples.

The genetically modified apples are being developed by Canadian company Okanagan Specialty Fruits.

The Guardian quoted president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Neal Carter as saying: "It is the biggest milestone yet for us and we can’t wait until they’re available for consumers."

The department’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service said that the apples were approved to be sold in the US as they were unlikely to pose a risk to other plants in the form of bacteria, fungi and other threats.

The Food and Drug Administration has no mandatory review process for genetically engineered foods and is supervising the new apples through a voluntary consultation with Okanagan.

Explaining the browning process of apples, the company said on its website that polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was responsible for the enzymatic browning of both potatoes and apples. After being modified, the GM fruits produce 10% of the PPO of normal apples, which is not enough to turn them brown.

The company said that apples would be made available in small quantities in late-2016 but will not be distributed widely for several years, reported The Guardian.

However, these new apple varieties have attracted criticism from the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), which argues that genetic changes preventing browning could be harmful to human health. It has already petitioned the USDA to deny approval, adds the publication.

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Image: The flesh of genetically modified apples will be prevented from turning brown. Photo: courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography / freedigitalphotos.net.