As per Norfolk Plant Sciences, a tomato was modified to alter its colour and enhance its nutritional quality. They found the plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes and is not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. That means, from a plant pest risk perspective, this plant may be safely grown and used in breeding in the United States.

Under 7 CFR part 340, developers may submit a request to APHIS for a Regulatory Status Review (RSR) when they believe a modified plant is not subject to regulation. APHIS reviews the modified plant and considers whether it might pose an increased plant pest risk compared to a non regulated plant. If our review finds a plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk relative to the comparator plant, we issue a response indicating the plant is not subject to the regulations.

With respect to Norfolk Plant Sciences’ purple tomato, they did not identify any plausible pathways to increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes and issued a response letter indicating the plant is not subject to regulation. This is the first RSR response we have issued under the revised biotechnology regulations at 7 CFR part 340. 

Norfolk Plant Sciences had familiarity with tomato varieties, knowledge of the traits that alter fruit colour and nutritional quality and understanding of the modifications.