The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has just approved a product that I didn’t ask for and I’m sure the rest of us didn’t either. They just approved a genetically engineered apple that doesn’t brown when sliced. Will this new modification help world hunger? I don’t think so.
A browning apple indicates that it isn’t fresh and Okanagan Specialty Fruits, out of Summerland, should be ashamed of itself for even thinking that a non-browning apple was a good idea.
I’m embarrassed for the whole of the Okanagan that our valley’s name is associated with this genetically engineered product. I vow not to buy this apple and I sincerely hope that none of the grocery stores in the Okanagan and B.C. will see fit to stock it.
Okanagan’s non-browning Arctic apple will first appear in Granny Smith and golden delicious varieties, with Fuji and gala next on the list. These apples could eventually find their way over the border to our grocery shelves. They could also appear in juice, baby food, or apple sauce where we could unwittingly consume them because there are no laws in North America requiring labels indicating the presence of GMOs in our food.
The B.C. Fruit Growers Association and other grower groups have already voiced their disapproval of these GE apples due to the negative impact they could have on organic farmers growing non-GE apples, on the image of the apple industry as a whole, and on trade with other countries which have rejected GMO products.
This entire exercise is a waste of time and money providing consumers with a product they do not want and have no need for.
Both McDonald’s and Gerber have already indicated that they will not be using the GE apples in any of their products in the U.S. Now we need similar promises from our Canadian grocery stores if the apple is approved for sale in Canada.
Linda Wills
Vernon
