A1333 - Food derived from purple tomato lines containing event Del/Ros1-N

Published

This application seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to permit food derived from a genetically modified (GM) Purple Tomato.  

The GM Purple Tomato has been modified to produce natural blue pigments (anthocyanins) as it ripens, resulting in both purple skin and flesh. 

The pre-market food safety assessment for this application was completed under the Health Canada-FSANZ Shared Assessment Process (SAP). It is the sixth GM food considered through this process.

Consultation and assessment

Call for submissions

The application is being assessed under FSANZ’s general procedure and includes one round of public consultation.

Public consultation is now open until 10 September 2025. Click here to access the Consultation Hub and to make a submission.

Read our media release.

Administrative Assessment

Cultivation and import

This application to FSANZ relates only to the use of the GM Purple Tomato as food in Australia and New Zealand.

Any commercial cultivation in Australia would require approval from the Gene Technology Regulator (GTR). In New Zealand, cultivation would require separate regulatory assessment by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Infographic titled “GM Purple Tomato – Who does what in Australia?” showing a purple tomato plant with three government responsibilities listed alongside. Biosecurity & Trade – DAFF (Biosecurity) provides seed import permits in line with biosecurity standards. Illustrated with an icon of a clipboard and a truck. Food Safety & Labelling – FSANZ conducts food safety assessments, approves food for sale, and sets labelling requirements. Illustrated with an icon of an apple, beaker, and label. Commercial Cult

The importation of viable seeds into either country is subject to separate biosecurity and quarantine requirements. These are managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in Australia and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in New Zealand.

Gene Technology Regulator assessment

Norfolk Healthy Produce’s partner in Australia, All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd (trading as All Aussie Farmers), has applied to the GTR for approval to commercially release the GM Purple Tomato in Australia. More information about this application is available on the OGTR website.