Genetically modified pink pineapples: Soon, perhaps, one of your 5-a-day?

With Brexit soon becoming a reality, a lot of uncertainty exists surrounding future policies. As a member of the EU, the UK has taken a protective stance against GMO's. Now, the question is whether the UK will uphold this approach or loosen its rules, to be more in line with the US. Will genetically modified pink pineapples soon become one of our 5-a-day?

Written by Jessica Den Outer

 Source: http://www.foodandwine.com/fwx/food/pink-pineapple-gmo 

On 14 December 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration completed a full evaluation and approved the newest creation of The Del Monte Fresh Produce: a genetically modified pineapple with pink flesh. The pineapple has been genetically engineered to suppress certain genes, and to stop the enzymes that convert levels of the red pigment lycopene into the yellow pigment beta carotene.[1] In a statement, the Food and Drugs Administration said it was as nutritious and safe to consume as its counterpart. The pink pineapple, along with non-browning apples and ‘super chicken eggs’, could soon become available in UK supermarkets. With Brexit, the EU’s tight rules on GMO’s could be a thing of the past and Britain is free to decide whether to introduce GMO’s into its market.

The EU, an advocate for the precautionary principle, has long taken a protective stance against GMO’s. The precautionary principle holds that in cases of scientific uncertainty, not implementing the decision or policy is the safest option. European legislation requires a pre-market authorisation for any GMO to be admitted on the market and post-market environmental monitoring of the GMO. Special procedures are laid down and the EU’s risk assessment, performed by the European Food Safety Authority, is based on harmonised criteria which are recognised as being among the strictest in the world. Furthermore, traceability and labelling obligations are imposed for any GMO.[2] Member States are free to impose stricter rules on GMO’s; in general, EU public opinion on GMO’s is rather negative.

This is all in huge contrast to the US. There is no federal legislation on GMO’s, and the US is not much of a believer in the precautionary approach. Its approach focuses on the nature of the products, and not so much on the process. Regulation on GMO’s is favourable to their development, and much of the corn, soy and some fruits and vegetables in the US are now genetically modified to resist diseases and to improve taste, texture and shelf life of the product. Furthermore, no labelling obligations exist, leading to mixed public opinion in the USA on GMO’s.[3]

Food standards could be watered down if the UK decides to replace all regulations that are now in place. Theresa May’s official spokesman had said: "…maintaining safety and public confidence in the food we eat is of the highest priority. Any future deal must work for UK farmers, businesses and consumers".[4] As much as the precautionary principle is integrated in the UK, it is not clear at this point what will happen – there is a possibility for the introduction of GMO’s in the UK, considering that the European Union blocks development in biotechnology cultivation. It has been said that public opinion in Britain in the last decade has shifted to become more interested in modern biotechnology – the question is, will those pink pineapples then soon become reality?

Arguments in favour of GMO’s range from growing stronger crops, meaning that there is less need for the use of pesticides, which are harmful to the environment, to increased food quality for consumers: products with an increased taste, texture and longer shelf-life. Additionally, it has been argued that GMO’s are able to solve world hunger: biotechnology can increase yields to get more food from less land. GMO’s are also cheaper and cut costs for consumers. The genetically modified products are also arguably more nutritious: taking our pink pineapple as an example, its increased levels of lycopene are speculated to have cancer fighting benefits.

Despite these benefits, a great deal of scientific uncertainty still exists on GMO’s impact on human, animal, plant and environmental health. Undeniable is the risk to biodiversity: the seeds travel beyond the fields they were planted in, and cross-pollination threatens other crops and plant species. Despite it being better for the crops not to be destroyed by insects, scientists have said that butterfly populations have plummeted in the US which in turn impacts the natural ecosystem and other species. As a health claim, it has been argued that consumption of GMO’s increases resistance to antibiotics. Links have been made to various diseases, and long-term effects of GMO foods are unknown. Small farmers are further threatened by the big businesses involved in GMO’s which dominate the market by patents on seeds and their ability to set prices.

The discussion on GMO’s and its possible introduction in the UK’s market after Brexit is an interesting development that is worth following. Despite personal feelings and opinions, it is safe to say that GMO’s are a contemporary phenomenon that will continue to grow and settle in the world’s food chain. Since the exact effects of GMO’s on human, plant and animal health are unknown, the UK’s decision to go with the EU or US approach will be significant, regardless of the direction it decides to follow.

What do you think, would you try that pink pineapple?

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[1] https://www.fda.gov/food/newsevents/constituentupdates/ucm533075.htm

[2] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-4778_en.htm

[3] https://www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/usa.php

[4] www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-theresa-may-food-standards-weakened-post-trade-deal-us-chlorine-soaked-chicken-liam-a7857036.html