Tropic develops gene-edited banana to reduce food waste

British company Tropic has developed a gene-edited banana designed to maintain the color of its pulp for longer after being peeled or cut. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique, researchers modified the gene responsible for producing polyphenol oxidase, the enzyme that causes browning. This process does not introduce DNA from unrelated species but precisely modifies the plant's own genetic material.

The innovation aims to combat food waste. According to a 2017 WRAP report, British consumers discard approximately 1.4 million edible bananas every day, often due to perceived lack of freshness. This new variety could benefit supermarkets and manufacturers of prepared fruit products by preserving a fresh appearance without altering taste or texture.

Under UK regulations, these organisms may be classified as products of precision breeding, a framework that has been in place since 2025. This allows for genetic changes that could have been achieved through traditional breeding methods.