Tropic Develops Gene-Edited Bananas to Reduce Food Waste
Tropic has developed gene-edited bananas that resist browning to cut food waste and CO2 emissions, receiving precision-bred status from the UK government.
Agricultural-biotechnology company Tropic has developed gene-edited bananas that resist browning for one to two days after peeling. By using Crispr-Cas9 technology to reduce the production of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, the company aims to decrease food waste and CO2-equivalent emissions by more than 25% across the supply chain.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently approved a marketing notice confirming the fruit's precision-bred status. This designation applies to genetic changes that could have been achieved through traditional breeding. Before the bananas can be sold in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, they must undergo a safety review by the Food Standards Agency.
Tropic is currently growing the fruit in Latin America and has already secured regulatory approval in 10 other countries, including Japan, Brazil, and the Philippines.
