Genetically modified tomatoes the colour of a plum are set to go on sale in Australian fruit shops for the first time this year.
The Purple Bliss tomato has been approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and Food Standards Australia New Zealand, allowing it to be grown and distributed in Australia.
The purple tomato was bred to include genes from the snapdragon flower which adds colour and antioxidants.
It will be the first fresh GM whole food to be grown and sold in the country, with other GM crops in Australia only approved for cultivation.
Snapdragon fruit genes have been added to create the tomato’s purple colour and increase health benefits.
 (Supplied: Norfolk Healthy Produce)
Victoria-based fresh produce marketing company All Aussie Farmers has been working for several years to bring the purple tomato to Australia from the United States.
Managing director Travis Murphy said the fruit had a “really sweet” flavour.
“I’m not a tomato eater, I can openly admit that, but I can eat these purple tomatoes. They’re beautiful,” he said.
Melbourne first to stock
Now that it is approved, All Aussie Farmers can begin growing and selling the Purple Bliss locally.
Travis Murphy says the purple tomato has a sweet flavour. (Supplied: Norfolk Healthy Produce)
They will be on sale in Melbourne fruit shops around the middle of the year before expanding to other markets.
“Because this is such a unique product, we want to control how it’s introduced,” Mr Murphy said.
“We’ll be selling them ourselves off our own wholesale floor so we’re handling everything end-to-end,” he said.
“We can make sure the product is handled properly and that the grower is getting paid fairly.”
That first grower is based in Queensland, in the Clearview Valley.
Travis Murphy (left) says it has been challenging to get regulatory approval for the purple tomato. (Supplied: All Aussie Farmers)
Mr Murphy said they were chosen because their main crop of medley tomatoes was wiped out by hail just before Christmas.
“He’s a careful, committed grower who puts a lot of effort into his fruit,” Mr Murphy said.
“That means we can deliver a top-quality product to fruit shops who can then pass that quality on to consumers.”
A question for the consumer
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking welcomed the go-ahead for the GM tomato, saying it was important technology was embraced.
Brett Hosking says science and farming work hand in hand. (Supplied: GrainGrowers)
“We’re starting to realise that science and food production work hand in hand,” he said.
“The way we ensure consumers get the best eating experience is by embracing what we know from research, innovation and technology combined with traditional growing practices.
“A lot of GM food products in Australia aren’t actually consumed directly.
“Take canola, for example, we produce oil from it, [but] that oil doesn’t contain any of the DNA.
“This tomato though is a product you put straight on your plate. A fresh food that you chop up and eat whole.”
Second GM ‘wave’ unlikely
Unlike the purple tomato, most other GM crops in Australia are bred to solve pest, disease and agricultural issues.
But molecular plant biologist Joseph Pegler from the University of Newcastle doubts there would be a surge of GM crops modified for nutrition.
“It’s certainly possible that we’ll see more genetically modified crops in the future,” Dr Pegler said.
“But this doesn’t mean we’re about to see a large influx of GM crops released into the Australian environment.
“The regulation around genetically modified organisms in Australia is very strict and highly transparent.”