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Pink pineapple approved for U.S. market

The Food & Drug Administration has given the okay for a genetically modified pineapple to be sold in the U.S.

On Tuesday, the FDA announced approval of genetically engineered pink pineapple from Del Monte Fresh Produce saying there are no unresolved regulatory or safety questions with the fruit.

The FDA says the pineapple has been genetically engineered to produce lower levels of enzymes already in conventional pineapple that convert the pink pigment lycopene to the yellow pigment beta carotene. Lycopene is the pigment that makes tomatoes red and watermelons pink, so it is commonly and safely consumed.

The fruit was approved by the USDA in 2013 and the FDA says Del Monte plans to market the fruit as “extra sweet pink flesh pineapple”