WASHINGTON — Don’t expect to see them soon, but they could be coming to your local grocery store — two types of apples genetically modified to resist turning brown after they’re bruised or sliced.
The development could boost sales of apples for snacks, salads and other uses.
Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny Smith are being developed by a Canadian company, Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. of Summerland, British Columbia.
The Agriculture Department gave its OK on Friday, saying the apples aren’t likely to pose a plant pest risk or have a “significant” environmental impact.
The first Arctic apples are expected to be available in late 2016. It takes apple trees several years to produce significant quantities, so it will take time before the genetically modified apples are widely distributed.
The browning-resistant varieties are considered desirable for use as pre-sliced apples, in fruit salad and salad bars. The nonprofit Center for Food Safety questioned whether browning-resistance will mask apples that no longer are fresh.
