Arctic® Fuji Receives FDA Approval

Summerland, BRITISH COLUMBIA (February 8, 2018) – Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.’s (OSF) newest nonbrowning Arctic® apple variety, Arctic® Fuji, completed the voluntary review process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today. Arctic® Fuji’s are the third apple variety OSF has been approved to grow, along with Arctic® Golden and Arctic® Granny apples that previously received regulatory approval in 2015.

“Completion of this FDA review is important news for our company as it marks the last step needed for Arctic® Fuji to officially join our commercial orchards,” explained Neal Carter, President of OSF. “We get a lot of feedback from people about what Arctic variety they’re excited to see next, and this latest announcement allows us to provide consumers with even more choice when it comes to purchasing value-added fruits for their families to enjoy.”

Through biotechnology, the enzyme in Arctic apples responsible for browning has been turned off. This can significantly impact unnecessary food waste when it comes to apples that would normally get thrown out after they have turned brown from getting bruised, sliced, or bitten, enabling the unique nonbrowning trait to benefit every sector of the supply chain. Arctic apples were commercially available for the first time this past fall in select U.S. cities, with plans for increased availability throughout North America as more trees are planted and fruit volumes increase.

“There have been some major developments for OSF recently, and I’m excited to see what comes next as this is definitely just the start for us,” says Carter.

The announcement follows Arctic® Fuji approvals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) granted September 23, 2016, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada on January 30, 2018. FDA approval was the final step required in the regulatory process allowing Arctic® Fuji trees to begin being planted this spring.

About Okanagan Specialty Fruits & Arctic Apples

Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, growing, processing, and marketing of novel tree fruit varieties developed through bioengineering. Based in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada, OSF was founded in 1996 and acquired by an affiliate of Third Security, LLC in 2020. OSF’s flagship product is its Arctic apple varieties. Arctic apples provide a sustainable solution to less food waste and improved apple consumption. For consumer information, visit www.arcticapples.com; for company information and partnership opportunities, visit www.osfruits.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Denise Briggs Communications Manager
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Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF) is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, growing, processing, and marketing of novel tree fruit varieties developed through bioengineering.
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