Nutritionally enhanced Purple Bliss tomatoes first GM fresh food to be grown and sold in the country
Genetically modified (GM) purple tomatoes will be available to Australian consumers for the first time this year following a landmark regulatory approval.
The Purple Tomato, marketed under the brand name Purple Bliss, has received approvals from both Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the Gene Technology Regulator, making it the first fresh GM whole food to be grown and sold in the country. Other GM crops in Australia are only approved for cultivation, not sale.
The Purple Tomato has been nutritionally enhanced with anthocyanins, the same beneficial compounds that give blueberries and blackberries their deep colour. These naturally occurring pigments are well-known for their antioxidant properties and are associated with diverse health benefits.
US-based Norfolk Healthy Produce (NHP) originally developed and marketed the brand from research by Cathie Martin at the John Innes Institute in the UK. In 2025, it partnered with All Aussie Farmers for the commercialisation and distribution of the tomato throughout Australia.
Travis Murphy, managing director of All Aussie Farmers said it was a landmark day for Australian agriculture and for health-conscious consumers across the country.
“We are grateful to both the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and Food Standards Australia New Zealand for their thorough, science-based review processes,” Murphy said. “Their teams were professional, rigorous, and genuinely engaged throughout the evaluation – exactly what you want to see from regulators making decisions about new food technologies. We are excited to bring Purple Bliss tomatoes to Australian families who are looking for delicious, nutritious options.”
Nathan Pumplin, CEO of Norfolk Plant Sciences and Norfolk Healthy Produce, echoed this sentiment.
“Australia’s regulatory framework has proven to be both rigorous and fair,” he said. “We appreciate the diligence and open communication from the scientists and reviewers at the OGTR and FSANZ who carefully evaluated our submissions. Their constructive engagement helped ensure a thorough review process. With these approvals now in place, we’re thrilled that our partners at All Aussie Farmers can bring the Purple Bliss tomato to Australian consumers, delivering on our shared mission of making healthier produce more accessible.”
Purple Bliss tomatoes are expected to be available in select Australian markets later in 2026.
