It’s an invention that could change the way you eat fruit: an Okanagan company has created an apple that does not brown.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits has created the arctic apple, which is genetically modified, and if approved by federal authorities, it could change the way fruits are grown in the valley.
However, these apples are not without controversy.
“I think people want healthy food choices and I think they’re concerned about what they are eating,” said Shelley Eberle, who is against GM food.
Eberle has started a campaign to ban the growing of GM food in the Okanagan. So far, more than 700 people have signed a petition, which was presented to the Regional District board on Friday. The Regional District says it cannot tell farmers what to grow, however it did debate the issue.
Growers like Joe Sardinha say people will stop buying B.C. fruit if word gets out apples from the region are genetically modified. He believes there will be serious repercussions for the Okanagan’s apple market.
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“It would be very difficult to do the damage control of these things to ensure our customers and those that are loyal and buying B.C. fruit,” he said.
He admits there is potential for cross-pollination, which could be disastrous for organic growers.
But Neil Carter of Okanagan Specialty Fruits says the fruits should not be compared to windborne seeds like canola or corn. He also adds an organic grower has never been decertified because of pollen gene flow.
Carter believes the arctic apple presents a business opportunity and a chance to grab a slice of the growing “ready to eat” fresh food market.
“What we wanted to do is increase apple consumption so growers can make more money and that is really what the arctic apple does,” Carter said.
It will be at least another few years before the apple clears regulatory hurdles and growing gets underway.
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