The case of the FLAVR SAVR tomato

Abstract

The FLAVR SAVR tomato was the first genetically engineered crop product to be commercialized. This article briefly charts the development of the product (fruits expressing the antisense polygalacturonase gene which remained firm after picking without reduction in vine-ripened flavours) in the 1980s, its successful commercial introduction from 1994 particularly as tomato paste, and the dramatic decline in its popularity from autumn 1998 following public concern over genetically modified foods.