Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
News

Fresh Del Monte Produce's Genetically Modified Pink Pineapple OK for Sale

December 16, 2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided this week that a genetically modified pink pineapple--developed by food giant Fresh Del Monte Produce--is now safe to sell in the U.S.

Genetic engineering produces lower levels of enzymes that transform into lycopene--the same enzyme that produces rich color in watermelons and tomatoes--into yellow beta carotene--the same enzyme that produces rich color in carrots. In pineapples, this method ultimately creates an inner flesh that is sweeter and pinker than that of a conventionally grown yellow pineapple.

The pink pineapple is grown in Costa Rica, but was first developed in 2012 and earned importation approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture the following year. This was an unusually quick advancement since, according to the agency’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the pink pineapple does not have the ability to “propagate and persist in the environment once they have been harvested.”

According to reports, FDA says that Fresh Del Monte Produce “submitted information to the agency to demonstrate that the pink flesh pineapple is as safe and nutritious as its conventional counterparts,”

The pink pineapple joins a number of other precedent-setting genetically modified foods such as salmon--which was approved for sale in Canada in May 2016, along with apples and potatoes, which were deemed safe for human consumption in 2015.

With the passing of standardized food labeling regulations over the summer, the pink pineapple will need to be labeled as a genetically modified food item at the retail level. USDA is tasked with deciding how these labels will come to fruition over the next few years.

Correction: There are two different Del Monte's. Fresh Del Monte Produce is the company that has made the above announcement. Del Monte Foods is a separate entity.

Related articles:
Genetically Modified Salmon Approved for Sale in Canada
FDA: Genetically Engineered Apples and Potatoes are Safe, Nutritious

Sign up for Food Safety Magazine’s bi-weekly emails!

 


Author(s): Staff

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Methods
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Food Prep/Handling
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

FoodSafetyMattersFinal-900x550-(002).jpg

Ep. 195. Dr. Christopher Daubert: The Value of a Food Science Education

Students returning their lunch trays in a cafeteria

California Bill Would Remove Ultra-Processed Foods from School Lunches

Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.

Staying Compliant With FSMA

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • default-produce-image.jpg

    AgroFresh Solutions, Del Monte Fresh Produce collaboration extends produce shelf life

    See More
  • Del Monte Fresh Produce Vegetable Trays Linked to Second Outbreak in Less Than a Year

    See More
  • Genetically Modified Salmon Approved for Sale in Canada

    See More
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing