Australian Regulators Greenlight GM Purple Tomatoes for Market Entry

As reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has received an application from Norfolk Healthy Produce— a U.S. biotech firm based in Davis, California— to commercialize genetically modified (GM) purple tomatoes in Australia. If approved, the product could hit shelves as early as 2026, marking a potential breakthrough in Australia’s tightly regulated GM crop landscape.

The Science Behind the Purple Tomato

Trademarked as The Purple Tomato, the variety incorporates two genes from edible snapdragon flowers, enabling it to synthesize natural anthocyanins during ripening. These antioxidants—abundant in blueberries, cherries, and eggplants—give the tomatoes their deep purple hue and are linked to potential health benefits. Developed over 18 years, the GM tomatoes have been available in U.S. markets for two years, with Norfolk Healthy Produce selling 100,000 retail boxes and 13,000 seed packets to home gardeners in 2024. The company is now eyeing international expansion, prioritizing Australia and Canada.

Implications for GM Adoption

The proposed purple tomato launch could test public acceptance of GM produce in Australia. While Norfolk highlights the tomatoes’natural pigment and nutritional value, critics may raise concerns about long-term ecological and health impacts. FSANZ’s decision, expected after rigorous safety assessments, will shape the future of GM food commercialization in the region.