Browning-Proof Bananas Near UK Supermarkets

Gene-edited bananas that resist browning are on the cusp of becoming available in UK supermarkets. These fruits, developed by Norfolk-based Tropic Biosciences, have undergone a final approval stage with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The gene-editing technique, CRISPR-Cas9, modifies the plant's DNA to prevent the production of the enzyme that causes browning. This technology also enhances the fruit's resistance to bruising during transit. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), banana browning leads to approximately 20 per cent of yield losses, contributing to the discard of about 1.4 million edible bananas annually in Britain. Consumers will not be required to have a specific label identifying these bananas as gene-edited once they reach store shelves. Other gene-edited products, including strawberries and tomatoes, are also awaiting FSA approval.