Seeds of the "health-boosting" plant are in high demand across the Atlantic, with more than 1,200 packets selling within 48 hours of launch, and 9,600 sold in the first week.
The commercial US launch of the product marks a major milestone for Prof Cathie Martin, a group leader at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, who announced the purple tomato in a landmark scientific paper published in 2008.
By incorporating two genes from the snapdragon flower, the new tomato variety contains purple antioxidants called anthocyanins - nutrients also found in blueberries, blackberries, and aubergine - which are associated with a host of health benefits.
Current GM regulations prevent these tomatoes from being grown commercially in Britain.
The seeds, retailing at $20 per pack, are only available in the USA, after regulatory approval was granted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Prof Martin said: "Ever since we produced that innovation nearly two decades ago, it has been my wish that gardeners could grow and enjoy purple tomatoes and share in the health-giving compounds and striking beauty of the fruit.
"It is so exciting that gardeners in the USA are seizing the opportunity to grow them in 2024."
The product was launched by Norfolk Healthy Produce, a subsidiary of Norfolk Plant Sciences, founded by Prof Martin and fellow Norwich Research Park scientist Prof Jonathan Jones, a group leader at the Sainsbury Laboratory.
He said: "Since their launch, demand for the purple tomato seeds has been remarkable, showing just how many people are interested.
"The beauty of this innovation is not just the gorgeous, anthocyanin-packed product, but also that it enables those disinclined to adopt it to say ‘thanks, but no thanks’."
The first variety is an "indeterminate" cherry tomato - one that produces fruit throughout the season, and can be grown using standard methods.
It has been bred in a way that allows home gardeners to collect seed from this year’s crop to grow next year.
Norfolk Healthy Produce expects to launch fresh purple tomatoes into US grocery stores later this year.
US gardeners snap up GM purple tomato seeds developed by Norwich scientists
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02.03.2024
Seeds of the "health-boosting" plant are in high demand across the Atlantic, with more than 1,200 packets selling within 48 hours of launch, and 9,600 sold in the first week.
The commercial US launch of the product marks a major milestone for Prof Cathie Martin, a group leader at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, who announced the purple tomato in a landmark scientific paper published in 2008.
By incorporating two genes from the snapdragon flower, the new tomato variety contains purple antioxidants called........
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