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Article: FDA Clears Tomato With Altered Genes; Fruit Declared Safe, Has Longer Shelf Life
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- May 19, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The Food and Drug Administration yesterday cleared the way for
the sale of a genetically engineered tomato, the first whole food
developed through biotechnology to be available to U.S. consumers.
Some activists criticized the decision. But the agency declared
that Calgene Inc.'s "Flavr Savr" tomato is as safe as tomatoes bred
by conventional means. "We can say that this tomato is as safe as
any tomato on the market," said Food and Drug Commissioner David A.
Kessler. It will be available for sale within weeks in selected
areas.
Calgene altered its tomato plants genetically to produce fruit
that takes longer to rot than conventional varieties. The move is
designed to address one of the ...