Biotech Updates

Nonbrowning Apples Approach Final Comment Period in the U.S.

March 6, 2013

The Arctic® nonbrowning apple technology developed by Okagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) has completed the U.S. and Canada public comment periods with over 5,000 comments in total. It is expected to go through the second U.S. public comment this spring as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) publishes the Plant Pest Risk Analysis (PPRA) and Environmental Assessment (EA) of Arctic apples. After the second public comment period, this particular apple technology can be deregulated in the U.S.

The nonbrowning apples were developed through gene silencing. The researchers turned off the expression of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which causes the browning of apples.

For more details, visit http://www.arcticapples.com/blog/joel/arctic%C2%AE-apples-approach-2nd-us-comment-period#.USwpFh2VN4L.