Genetically modified purple tomatoes will soon be available in shops in the US.
The tomatoes have purple outer skin and purple inner flesh as well.
A few years ago, scientists at Oregon State University created a new purple tomato that has a similar colour to an eggplant.
It is also said to contain around 10 times more antioxidant pigments than the regular tomato.
The scientists did the test on mice and after a couple of studies, it was reported that mice whose diet was supplemented with purple tomato powder lived nearly 30 per cent longer than those on a standard diet or a diet supplemented with powder from normal tomatoes.
The findings which were published in the Journal Nature Biotechnology, bolster the idea that plants can be genetically modified to make people eat healthy meals.
A small company called Norfolk plant sciences, last year, applied for approval and is confident of getting a go-ahead for distribution of the seeds.
“We are optimistic that we will get the approvals that we need,” said Eric Ward, an adviser to Norfolk Plant Sciences said during
As reported by Newscientists, the company hopes to sell seeds to gardeners and supply fresh tomatoes and other tomato products to shops.
Under the new rules, the US Department of Agriculture is meant to respond within 180 days.
The US has already approved one genetically modified tomato, the Flavr Savr, which went on sale in 1994. However, the company behind it never managed to make a profit and sales ceased.
