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

Published

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has accepted an application from Norfolk Healthy Produce Inc. to permit food derived from a genetically modified (GM) Purple Tomato.

This tomato has been modified to produce natural blue pigments (anthocyanins) as it ripens, resulting in both purple skin and flesh.

The application will be assessed under the Health Canada-FSANZ Shared Assessment Process (SAP). It is the sixth GM food to be considered through this process.

As part of the assessment, FSANZ will examine:

  • the molecular characteristics of the GM tomato
  • its nutritional composition
  • the scientific evidence on its safety for human consumption.

If our assessment supports changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, we will call for public submissions before a final decision is made.

Administrative Assessment

A1333 Administrative assessment report (126KB)

A1333 Executive summary (40KB)

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.