Arctic Apples Explained

Arctic apple is the trademark for a group of patented apples that contain a nonbrowning trait (when the apples are subjected to mechanical damage, such as slicing or bruising, the apple flesh remains as its original color)[1] [2] introduced through biotechnology. They were developed through a process of genetic engineering by Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.[3] [4] Specifically, gene silencing reduces the expression of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), thus delaying the onset of browning.[5] It is the first genetically engineered apple to be approved for commercial sale.[6] The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Government of Canada in 2017, determined that Arctic apples are as safe and nutritious as conventional apples.[6] [7]

Nonbrowning method

Developing nonbrowning Arctic apples relies upon a technique called RNA interference (RNAi).[8] This approach enables silencing of PPO expression to less than 10% of its normal expression, but does not change other aspects of the apple.[9] The RNAi process is accomplished through the use of a transgene that uses gene sequences that control PPO production.[2] Promoter and terminator gene sequences are used to support the implementation of PPO suppression genes, as is a marker gene which produces a protein (called NPTII) that makes the plant tissue resistant to the antibiotic kanamycin, allowing transformed plants to metabolize neomycin and kanamycin antibiotics.[10] This step is used to confirm that silencing PPO was successful.[9]

Regulatory approval and safety

Okanagan Specialty Fruits received regulatory approval for two apple varieties in Canada from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada[11] and in the US from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the United States Department of Agriculture.[2] Varieties that have received U.S. approval include Arctic Golden (called GD743) and Arctic Granny (GS784) in 2015,[12] and Arctic Fuji (NF872) in 2016.[13] Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny varieties were both approved in Canada in 2015.[14] The Arctic Fuji (NF872) was approved in Canada in 2018.[15] Approval of the apple was opposed by GE Free BC and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network.[16] Approval of the apples was opposed by some tree fruit associations, such as the BC Fruit Growers' Association[17] and Northwest Horticultural Council (Washington State).[18] Opposition of associations was based on concern about market backlash, not on safety of the product.

The US FDA stated that the safety evaluation of Arctic apples "ensures that food safety issues were resolved prior to commercial distribution",[6] and the Government of Canada stated "that the genetically modified 'Arctic apple' is as safe for humans, livestock and the environment as conventional apples."[7]

Commercialization

As of late 2017, the Arctic Golden variety began retail sales as packaged, preservative-free apple slices.[19] Packaging bears Arctic branding including their "snowflake" logo[20] and a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone to inform consumers about the safety and non-browning benefits via the company website.[21]

As of 2020, there were 1350acres of Arctic apple orchards in Washington state,[22] with 17 million lbs (7.7 million kg) harvested in 2021.[23]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Questions and Answers: Okanagan Specialty Fruits' Non-Browning Apple (Events GD743 and GS784) . July 2012 . USDA APHIS . 18 March 2014 . 1 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044151/http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/biotechnology/2012/faq_okanagan_apple.pdf . dead .
  2. Web site: Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status: Arctic Apple (Malus x domestica) Events GD743 and GS784 . 21 February 2012 . USDA APHIS .
  3. Lehnert . R. . Firm seeks approval for transgenic apple . https://web.archive.org/web/20120713033312/http://www.goodfruit.com/Good-Fruit-Grower/January-15th-2011/Firm-seeks-approval-for-transgenic-apple/ . July 13, 2012 . Good Fruit Grower . January 15, 2011.
  4. Milkovich . M. . Non-browning apples cause controversy . Fruit Growers News . April 29, 2011.
  5. Web site: The first GMO non-browning apples will go on sale in the US next month . 19 January 2017 . 19 January 2017 . The Verge . James Vincent .
  6. Web site: Okanagan Specialty Fruits: Biotechnology Consultation Agency Response Letter BNF 000132 . https://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20171031091829/https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GEPlants/Submissions/ucm436163.htm . dead . October 31, 2017 . U.S. Food and Drug Administration . en . March 20, 2015 . 14 November 2019.
  7. Web site: Questions and answers: Arctic Apple. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Government of Canada. 21 April 2018. 8 September 2017.
  8. News: Waltz . Emily . Nonbrowning GM apple cleared for market : Trade Secrets . tradesecrets . 30 March 2015 . 24 November 2017 . 31 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231142923/http://blogs.nature.com/tradesecrets/2015/03/30/nonbrowning-gm-apple-cleared-for-market . dead .
  9. Web site: PPO silencing . Okanagan Specialty Fruits . 2017 . 4 May 2017.
  10. Web site: Event Name: GS784 . International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications . 4 May 2017.
  11. Web site: Notice of Submission for Approval of Novel Food, Livestock Feed and Unconfined Environmental Release for Apple Genetically Engineered To Be Nonbrowning (GD743 and GS784) from Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. . April 15, 2012 . Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 2012-08-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120715181505/http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plants-with-novel-traits/notices-of-submission/okanagan-specialty-fruits-inc-/eng/1335141426301/1335142810470 . 2012-07-15.
  12. Web site: USDA Announces Deregulation of Non-Browning Apples. 13 February 2015. USDA APHIS. https://web.archive.org/web/20170120072909/https://www.aphis.usda.gov/stakeholders/downloads/2015/SA_arctic_apples.pdf. 20 January 2017.
  13. Web site: Extended Determination of Nonregulated Status for Okanagan Specialty Fruits Non-Browning Arctic Apple. 2016. USDA APHIS .
  14. Web site: Arctic Apple Events GD743 and GS784 . Canada.ca . 20 March 2015 . en-CA. 2017-11-24.
  15. Web site: Arctic Fuji Apple Event NF872 - Canada.ca. Canada. Health. www.canada.ca. 30 January 2018 . en. 2018-03-12.
  16. News: February 25, 2015 . What is a genetically modified Arctic apple? . Shore . Randy . Times Colonist . 2017-11-26.
  17. Web site: McLeod . Wendy . Approval of GMO Apple Opposed by BC Fruit Growers' Association . Kelowna Now. 23 March 2015 . November 6, 2019.
  18. Web site: Wilhelm . Steve . Non-browning GMO apple resisted by Washington state growers associations . 26 July 2012 . Puget Sound Business Journal . November 6, 2019.
  19. Megan . Molteni . November 22, 2017 . Would You Put the Genetically Modified Arctic Apple in Your Pie? . WIRED . 2017-11-24 . en-US.
  20. Web site: The Benefits of Arctic Apples . Arctic Apples . Okanagan Specialty Fruits . 2017.
  21. Web site: Why The Arctic Apple Means You May Be Seeing More GMOs At The Store . Gerlock, Grant . National Public Radio (NPR) . 1 February 2017 . 20 February 2017.
  22. News: Arctic Apples concludes 2020 with largest harvest to date . 18 March 2023 . Perishable News . 28 October 2020.
  23. News: 2021 Arctic apple harvest done, includes first Arctic Fuji crop . 18 March 2023 . Fruit Growers News . 30 November 2021.

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