Australia Approves GM Purple Tomato with High Anthocyanins for Commercial Cultivation and Food Use
12 February 2026, Melbourne: Australia has taken a significant step in agricultural biotechnology with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (Office of the Gene Technology Regulator) granting licence DIR 218 to All Aussie Avocados Pty Ltd, trading as All Aussie Farmers, for the commercial release of a genetically modified purple tomato. The approval allows the cultivation of a tomato variety engineered to develop a distinctive purple colour as the fruit ripens, due to the production of naturally occurring purple-blue pigments known as anthocyanins.
Under the licence conditions, the GM Purple Tomato can be grown across Australia, although certain Australian States and Territories may impose restrictions on its marketing for local regulatory or commercial reasons. Following a comprehensive risk assessment, the Gene Technology Regulator concluded that the commercial release of the GM Purple Tomato presents a negligible risk to human health, animal health, and the environment.
For entry into the food market, a separate regulatory pathway applies. Approval for sale as food for human consumption is overseen by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (Food Standards Australia New Zealand), which is also responsible for setting Australia’s requirements for genetically modified food labelling. FSANZ conducted a detailed food safety assessment of the GM Purple Tomato and determined that food derived from this variety is as safe and nutritious as food from conventional tomatoes already available in the Australian and New Zealand food supply.
In October 2025, FSANZ formally approved the GM Purple Tomato for sale as a food in both Australia and New Zealand. As per regulatory norms, the GM tomatoes and any food products derived from them will be subject to mandatory genetically modified labelling, ensuring transparency and informed choice for consumers.
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