Arctic Apples

Developing nonbrowning Arctic apples relies upon a technique called RNA interference (RNAi). This approach enables silencing of PPO expression to less than 10% of its normal expression, but does not change other aspects of the apple. The RNAi process is accomplished through the use of a transgene that uses gene sequences that control PPO production. This step is used to confirm that silencing PPO was successful. ==Regulatory approval and safety==

Okanagan Specialty Fruits received regulatory approval for two apple varieties in Canada from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada and in the US from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the United States Department of Agriculture. and Arctic Fuji (NF872) in 2016. Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny varieties were both approved in Canada in 2015. The Arctic Fuji (NF872) was approved in Canada in 2018. Approval of the apple was opposed by GE Free BC and the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. Approval of the apples was opposed by some tree fruit associations, such as the BC Fruit Growers' Association and Northwest Horticultural Council (Washington State). Opposition of associations was based on concern about market backlash, not on safety of the product. The US FDA stated that the safety evaluation of Arctic apples "ensures that food safety issues were resolved prior to commercial distribution", and the Government of Canada stated "that the genetically modified 'Arctic apple' is as safe for humans, livestock and the environment as conventional apples." ==Commercialization==

As of late 2017, the Arctic Golden variety began retail sales as packaged, preservative-free apple slices. Packaging bears Arctic branding including their "snowflake" logo and a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone to inform consumers about the safety and non-browning benefits via the company website. As of 2020, there were of Arctic apple orchards in Washington state, with 17 million lbs (7.7 million kg) harvested in 2021. As of 2025, Arctic Apples have become popular in the United States, especially as part of school lunch programs. They are not yet available to Canadian consumers. ==References==