Could genetically modified foods change our shopping and eating habits in the future?
(Picture: PA Wire)The Flavr Savr tomato was the first genetically modified food type to be made commercially available to the public, first produced in 1994.
Since that time, a number of other food types have been genetically modified, including potatoes, corn, and pineapple.
Genetically modified foods are foods taken from organisms whose DNA has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally.
Although often shrouded by controversy, these modified foods may in fact have many health benefits.
Despite developments in genetically modified foods since 1994, the public’s reluctance, as well as stringent government policy in some countries, has meant the progress of these foods has stalled.
That is, until the purple tomato was granted approval in the US in September.
The purple tomato
Cathie Martin and Eugenio Butelli, from the John Innes Centre in Norfolk, and their team have been hard at work developing the purple tomato.
For more than 14 years, their mission was to engineer a tomato that contained higher levels of anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that, depending on their pH, may appear either red, purple, blue, or black.
The team is hoping to further investigate the benefits of anthocyanins, choosing tomatoes to study, as the fruits are known to be widely consumed and delicious.
Health benefits of genetically modified foods
Thanks to the team’s tireless efforts, the purple tomato was created - a unique fruit not only because of its colour.
High levels of anthocyanins were also achieved, equal to the same amount found in blueberries.
These high levels of anthocyanins also helped to double their shelf life compared to normal tomatoes, increased reproductive success of plants, and also protected the fruit from UV damage.
Health benefits of anthocyanins include a reduced risk of cancer, dementia and type 2 diabetes.
It’s also been found anthocyanins helped to lower inflammation and even increase longevity.
Can you purchase these tomatoes in the UK?
A pack of 10 seeds costing £2.25 and can be purchased at SowSeeds.
The tomato Indigo Blue Berries produce cherry-sized tomatoes, which ripen to a purple/black colour.
They are roughly 3cm in size, and produce sweet and savoury flavours.
