Company Seeks Approval For Browning-Resistant Apples in B.C.

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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A genetically-engineered apple making company has expressed hope to have them approved through the regulatory authorities in Canada and grow browning resistant apples in the coming months. According to the president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Neal Carter, the company aims to acquire approval from Health Canada and the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) by April of this year. The company has already had its product, i.e. Arctic apples, approved by the regulatory authorities in the United States.

Mr. Carter mentioned in his remarks that “we want to begin planting in Canada by the spring of 2016,” adding that “with 50 to 100 acres of Arctic apple trees planted by 2017.” According to Health Canada’s media relations officer, Andre Gagnon, the apple “will be authorized once regulators are satisfied that all aspects of the safety assessment has been adequately addressed.” According to the company, its Arctic apple controls “enzymatic browning” where the enzymes causing the brown discolouration are suppressed. Hence when sliced, the flesh of the apple can stay white for up to three weeks. Mr. Carter alleged that “the food service industry is very interested in this product,” and “it will allow them to use apples a lot more than they already do.”

Whereas on the other hand, a member of a non-profit organization against the production and sale of genetically modified foods, i.e. GE Free BC, Teresa Lynne, has compiled a list of over 50 stores in B.C. that have pledged not to sell the product. Ms. Lynne stressed that the “consumers don’t want it,” “and there haven’t been any long-term studies done on the apples.”