Agriculture Department OKs apples genetically modified to resist browning

The U.S. Agriculture Department on Friday approved two types of apples that are genetically modified to resist browning, The Associated Press reports.

The fruits could appear in grocery stores by late 2016. The Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny Smith apples are products of Canadian company Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc. While genetically engineered crops do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration prior to being put on the market, most companies voluntarily complete a review process with the FDA.

Okanagan will release the fruits in test-size batches, first, but the company is already working on more varieties, so more fresh fruits could be on the way, soon.

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