Vienna, VA. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it has deregulated two apple varieties genetically engineered to resist browning. The apples, developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc. (OSF), will be marketed under the Arctic® Granny and Arctic® Golden labels when they are in commercial production. The Arctic® brand apples use biotechnology to silence—or “turn off”—the natural gene in apples that causes browning.
U.S. Apple Association (USApple) has been preparing for Arctic deregulation for months and anticipating steps it can take to assist industry stakeholders in responding to their customers. It has also focused on how it can calm any consumer concerns about the new apples. Because apples take some time to penetrate the market, USApple reports consumers will have ample time to make clear, informed decisions on whether they wish to purchase Arctic Apples. Consumer demand will inevitably determine the success of Arctic apples in the marketplace.
“We strongly support consumer choice and are encouraged that the producers of Arctic apples have committed to clearly identifying their apples in all marketing and packaging,” said Jim Bair, President and CEO of USApple. “It will likely be two to three years minimum before these apple are available. In that time, shoppers will be able to get informed and make their own choices as to whether they want to purchase Arctic apples when they ultimately become available.”
The Arctic brand will be the only Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) apple on the marketplace. All other apples are non-GMO and will remain in the market for shoppers to continue buying. For more Arctic brand information, visit Okanagan Specialty Fruits.
All American Apples are Healthy and Safe
While browning is a naturally-occurring process resulting from an apple’s exposure to oxygen, USDA has declared that Arctic® apples are safe. If they become available for purchase, they will offer the same nutrition benefits as non-GMO apples. Arctic apples do not include genes from other species but use apple-to-apple biotechnology to silence—or “turn off”—the gene in apples that causes browning.
All apples and apple products offer nutritional benefits proven to reduce or prevent diseases including Alzheimer’s; asthma; breast, colon, and liver cancer; heart disease; and Type II Diabetes. As part of a healthy lifestyle, apple consumption can also help with weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight, improved skin health, lung function, and cognitive abilities. For more information, visit USApple’s health nutrition page.
About USApple
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. More information on the organization is available at www.USApple.org.
Source: The U.S. Apple Association