Arctic® Fuji apple one step closer to U.S. regulatory approval

SUMMERLAND, British Columbia, Aug. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has publicly shared the final version of Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.'s (OSF) petition seeking regulatory approval for Arctic^® Fuji apples, a nonbrowning variety produced through biotechnology.

In an announcement published August 10, 2016, USDA APHIS stated that they have reached a preliminary decision to extend their determination of nonregulated status to OSF's nonbrowning Arctic^® Fuji variety. In addition to publishing OSF's petition, APHIS has also shared their Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, and Preliminary Extended Determination and Plant Pest Risk Assessment. USDA APHIS will initiate a public comment period in the coming days, during which time the public is encouraged to submit their input on Arctic^® Fuji apples for APHIS' review.

"We are pleased to see the Arctic^® Fuji reach the next stage of deregulation," said OSF founder and President Neal Carter. "Interest in our first two distinctly nonbrowning varieties, Arctic^® Golden and Arctic^® Granny, following their approval in 2015 has shown us that the benefits of the Arctic Advantage^™ are of great interest to the industry and consumers alike. We are confident we will see a similar response to Arctic^® Fuji, and many more nonbrowning varieties still to come."

OSF's petition contains data on the introduction and testing of the nonbrowning trait in Fuji variety apples but differs from the petition submitted for OSF's initial varieties, Arctic^® Granny and Arctic^® Golden, because it is considered an extension. The nonbrowning trait in OSF's Arctic^® Fuji variety is no longer considered unique in apples, as APHIS has previously evaluated potential impacts of this trait and how it is introduced, concluding that these varieties are just as safe for consumers and the environment as conventional apples.

"Over a decade of real-world field trial experience has assured us that Arctic^® trees have the same growing needs as conventional trees, and that Arctic^® apples are compositionally and nutritionally comparable to conventional apples," said Carter. "It's not until an Arctic^® apple is bruised, bitten or cut that the nonbrowning benefit becomes obvious."

In Arctic^® apples, gene silencing is used to suppress the apple's expression of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the enzyme involved in browning when the fruit is bruised, bitten or cut. This virtually eliminates PPO production, so in turn the fruit does not brown from superficial damage, but will still show discoloration from bacterial or fungal infections and rot just like any apple.

OSF submitted its extended petition for nonregulated status of the Arctic^® Fuji to APHIS in December 2015; APHIS notified the company its petition was complete in April of this year. OSF is currently anticipating commercial introduction of Arctic^® apple varieties in fall 2017. "Our main goal is to increase apple consumption and reduce waste," said Carter. "By removing the 'yuck' factor, more apples get eaten and fewer get thrown away. It helps reduce the load on the environment and families' pocket books."  

About Okanagan Specialty Fruits^®

Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF) is a small, dynamic biotechnology company based in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1996, and acquired by Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON) as a wholly owned subsidiary in April 2015, OSF specializes in developing tree fruit varieties with novel attributes that benefit fruit producers and consumers alike. For consumer information, visit www.arcticapples.com; for information about the company and partnership opportunities, visit www.okspecialtyfruits.com. 

SOURCE Okanagan Specialty Fruits

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