Non-browning banana approval in England

England has approved a marketing notice for Tropic's non-browning banana, confirming its precision-bred status under new regulations that allow gene-edited foods if changes could occur naturally. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs granted the approval last week.

Precision-bred status is one of two key requirements for market placement. According to the Food Standards Agency, this status is given only if the genetic changes could have been achieved through traditional breeding methods and do not involve DNA from unrelated species. Regulations for precision-bred plants, established under the 2023 Precision Breeding Act, apply only in England. Authorised foods can be sold in Wales and Scotland if not processed further, with similar rules for Northern Ireland. No precision-bred organisms have yet received full market authorisation for sale. The banana must now undergo safety checks by the Food Standards Agency.

How the banana works and its benefits

Tropic developed the bananas using the gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9. The company altered all three copies of a single gene within the fruit to reduce production of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, which causes browning when fruit is peeled and exposed to oxygen. A similar approach has worked for mushrooms.

The bananas stay fresh, yellow and appetising long after peeling and slicing. The flesh resists browning for an extra day or two at room temperature, and longer if chilled. It can retain freshness for up to eight days after slicing. Browning causes significant yield losses. Tropic's sector data indicates it accounts for around 20 per cent of banana yield losses and is believed responsible for more than 50 per cent of losses across susceptible fruits.

Wider impact and global context

Tropic estimates its non-browning bananas could reduce food waste and CO2 equivalent emissions by over 25 per cent along the supply chain. The company said this could support an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of over 9 million tonnes in the banana export market alone. A UK government study found that 1.4 million edible bananas are thrown away each day, with 30 per cent of consumers discarding a banana due to a minor bruise or black mark.

The fruit has already gained regulatory approval in 10 other countries, including Japan, Brazil, and the Philippines. It is already being grown in Latin America. Brazil, one of the world's largest banana producers and consumers, approved the banana for import, sale, consumption, and cultivation. The non-browning banana was named one of TIME's best inventions in 2025.

Next steps and scientific background

The next stage for the banana is a safety review by the Food Standards Agency. Professor Cathie Martin, a project leader at the John Innes Centre who has worked on gene-edited tomatoes, noted the uncertainty, saying: "It is not entirely clear how long this will take." Gene editing is being used by researchers to develop sweeter strawberries, disease-resistant crops, and tomatoes that are more compact or high in vitamin D.

A Defra spokesperson said precision breeding offers huge potential to boost food security, cut pesticide use, increase crop yields and enhance disease resistance. The spokesperson added the non-browning banana is a great example of how innovation could help reduce food waste and improve food system sustainability while maintaining standards. Gilad Gershon of Tropic said the bananas have the same taste and texture but stay "fresh, yellow and appetising long after peeling and slicing".

The banana must now go through checks by the Food Standards Agency to ensure safety before it can be sold.