Arctic Fuji takes first step toward commercial approval
Arctic Fuji takes first step toward commercial approval
Okanagan Specialty Fruits formally submitted a petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting the deregulation of its next genetically modified nonbrowning variety: Arctic Fuji. Arctic Fuji is poised to follow in the footsteps of Okanagan Specialty Fruits’ first distinctly nonbrowning apple varieties, Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny, which were approved for commercial sale in February 2015. 
Okanagan Specialty Fruits’ Arctic Fuji.
Developed using the same innovative techniques as other Arctic apple varieties, Arctic Fuji apples have been grown and tested in field trial orchards for more than a decade. "The petition being reviewed by the USDA contains substantial data collected over many years that demonstrate the safety and healthfulness of Arctic Fujis, and we are extremely confident that they will be granted approval in a timely manner," OSF said in a release.
Considering regulatory agencies are now familiar with the science behind the company's Arctic apple varieties — namely, its method of silencing polyphenol oxidase, the enzyme that initiates browning — OSF anticipates that the review of Arctic Fuji will progress more quickly than for Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny varieties.
"After all," the company stated, "Arctic apples have no meaningful differences from their conventional counterparts, besides their nonbrowning trait that gives them the Arctic Advantage."
This advantage is especially beneficial in Arctic Fujis, as Fujis are notorious for being among the fastest-browning apple varieties.
OSF said its Arctic Fujis are the perfect complement to the unique strengths of Arctic Goldens and Arctic Grannies, with Fujis, Goldens and Grannies among the top five produced apples in the United States.
