Gene-Edited 'Sunshine' Tomato Receives Precision-Bred Organism Marketing Notice, Moves Closer to Commercialization

A biofortified tomato designed to boost human vitamin D levels has taken a major regulatory step toward commercial availability. The government of the United Kingdom approved the first marketing notice for a precision-bred tomato, marking the first time a crop from the John Innes Centre (JIC) has received precision-bred organism (PBO) marketing approval. Also called the "Sunshine" tomato, the gene-edited fruit offers a potential plant-based tool to address widespread dietary deficiencies.

Developed in the laboratory of Professor Cathie Martin, the crop utilizes gene editing to block the conversion of pro-vitamin D3 into defense chemicals, allowing high levels of the precursor to accumulate in the fruit and leaves. When exposed to natural sunlight or UVB light, this precursor converts directly into vitamin D3, the form most readily utilized by the human body. Researchers note that a single biofortified tomato can provide as much vitamin D as two eggs or 28 grams of tuna without altering the plant's growth, appearance, or yield.

Researchers are now crossing the modified plants with sweeter, striped varieties to refine the commercial product, while simultaneously preparing an application for Food Standards Agency (FSA) approval.

For more details, read the news from JIC. The full marketing notice is available in the GOV.UK website.