AUSTRALIA APPROVES COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF PURPLE TOMATO
Genetically Modified tomatoes the colour of a plum are set to go on sale in Australian fruit shops for the first time this year.
This follows the issuance of license DIR 218 to All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd (trading as All Aussie Farmers) by the Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) for the commercial release of the tomato genetically modified for purple fruit colour.
According to the regulator’s website, the licence allows All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd (trading as All Aussie Farmers) to commercially release the GM PurpleTomato. The GM Purple Tomato has been modified to produce natural purple/blue pigments called anthocyanins in the fruit while it is ripening.
The purple tomato was bred to include genes from the snapdragon flower which adds colour and antioxidants.
The Purple Tomato
Image: All Aussie Farmers
It will be the first fresh GM whole food to be grown and sold in the country, with other GM crops in Australia only approved for cultivation.
Now that it is approved, All Aussie Farmers can begin growing and selling the Purple Bliss locally.
The GM Purple Tomato may be grown throughout Australia, subject to restrictions in some Australian States and Territories for marketing reasons.
The Regulator has not imposed any specific measures to manage risk, as the risk assessment concluded that this release of GM Purple Tomato poses negligible risk to the health and safety of people or the environment. General conditions have been imposed to ensure that there is ongoing oversight of the release.
The risk analysis for this application was carried out in accordance with the Regulator’s Risk Analysis Framework.
GM Purple Tomato labelling and food safety
Permission for the GM Purple Tomato and its products to be sold as food for human consumption in Australia requires a separate application to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ also sets the requirements for GM food labelling in Australia.
FSANZ has assessed the safety of the GM Purple Tomato and its products as food for human consumption under application A1333 and found that food derived from the GM Purple Tomato is as safe as food from conventional tomatoes already in the Australian and New Zealand food supply. In October 2025, FSANZ approved this GM Purple Tomato for sale as a food in Australia and New Zealand. The GM tomatoes and any derived food products are subject to mandatory GM labelling.
GM Purple Tomato import
Prior to importing GM Purple Tomato as seeds, plants or fruit, an import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Biosecurity) would also be needed.
Below: Infographic outlining gm purple tomato regulatory remits
As part of regulatory remits for the GM Purple Tomato the Gene Technology Regulator conducts risk analysis and licensing for commercial cultivation, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) conducts food safety assessments, approves food for sale and sets labelling requirements, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity is responsible for seed import permits.
Besides Australia, the GM purple tomato developed by Norfolk Health Produce, has been approved for sale and cultivation in the United States and Canada.
They will be on sale in Melbourne fruit shops around the middle of the year before expanding to other markets.
Source: https://www.ogtr.gov.au/gmo-dealings/dealings-involving-intentional-release/dir-218