USDA to approve non-browning GM apple variety

The Department of Agriculture?s USDA?s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plans to approve a non-browning variety of Fuji apple. The announcement comes following a review concluding the apple does not pose a risk to human health or the environment, according to Agri-Pulse. The specific variety would be the third in the Arctic Apple line to gain APHIS approval. APHIS relied on the environmental analysis it already performed on the two other varieties. USDA said approval of the new variety will not change consumer demand for other apples including conventional or organic varieties. APHIS received thousands of comments on the two varieties of apples that had been approved earlier for commercialization, and many were negative. However, Duarte Nursery of California said the variety ?will help extend the usefulness? of the apple, adding the apple is proven safe and will help reduce food waste.Sources and more informationAgNet WestThe picture shows an Artic Golden apple