A Norfolk-based company, Tropic Biosciences, has reached the final approval stage to sell gene-edited bananas in England. By using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to prevent browning, the firm aims to drastically reduce fruit spoilage in the retail sector.
Stopping the PPO enzyme to extend freshness by 24 hours
Tropic Biosciences utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to modify three specific genes that trigger the production of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). As the source reports, this enzyme is the primary driver of the browning process that occurs once a banana is sliced or peeled . By disabling this enzyme, the fruit can remain yellow and appetizing for up to a full day after being cut.
This technical adjustment makes the fruit more versatile for commercial use in prepared foods. The company suggests that these bananas will be significantly easier to incorporate into smoothies, fruit salads, and banoffee pies without the rapid degradation of appearance and texture that usually plagues the fruit.
The fight against 1 million daily wasted bananas in the UK
The economic and environmental stakes are high,with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) noting that roughly 20 per cent of bananas are discarded due to browning.. According to the report, figures suggest that approximately one million bananas are thrown away every single day in the UK because they ripen too quickly.
Beyond the peeling stage, the gene-edited variety is designed to be more resilient during transport. Tropic Biosciences claims the genetic modifications help the bananas withstand bumps and bruises during the journey to supermarkets, which should further lower the environmental footprint of the banana supply chain by reducing transit losses.
The first new banana variety in 75 years and the rise of CRISPR crops
The introduction of this fruit represents a historic shift in agriculture, as Tropic Biosciences describes it as the first new banana variety in more than 75 years. This move is part of a broader trend toward precision agriculture in the UK, where gene editing—which modifies existing DNA rather than adding foreign genes—is being used to enhance food security and sustainability.
Other projects are following a similar path to the non-browning banana. Scientists have already tweaked straberry DNA to extend their season and reduce the UK's reliance on winter imports from Egypt, Morocco,and Spain. Additionally, DEFRA is reviewing gene-edited tomatoes designed to provide Vitamin D levels comparable to two eggs or 28g of tuna.
The final Food Standards Agency safety hurdle
Despite approvals already granted in Brazil and Japan, the product cannot be sold in England until it passes final food safety checks by the Food Standards Agency. While the technical path is clear, the source does not specify the exact timeline for these checks or which UK supermarkets have committed to stocking the fruit upon its 2025 commercial launch.
There remains a question of how the UK public will react to the "gene-edited" label compared to conventional produce. While the report highlights the benefits of waste reduction, it does not provide data on consumer sentiment or whether the product will carry a price premium over standard bananas.
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