Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF), the developer and grower behind the Arctic® apple varieties, announced that its fourth apple variety, Arctic Gala, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with commercialization. This was the final step in the regulatory process and follows approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2021, and earlier approvals this year from Health Canada (HC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
"The FDA approval of Arctic Gala, along with the earlier approvals from other regulatory agencies, is a testament to the safety and quality of OSF's innovative apple varieties," said Dr. Muhammad Tahir, OSF's director of research and regulatory affairs. "These approvals highlight the rigorous testing and evaluation processes that OSF adheres to, ensuring that consumers can enjoy these apples with confidence."
"The Arctic Gala is ideal for a wide range of applications, including salads, charcuterie boards, and lunchboxes," says Westcott.
The Arctic Gala joins the product lineup of the company's previously approved apple varieties, which include Arctic Golden, Arctic Granny, and Arctic Fuji. The Arctic Gala, along with its predecessors, is specially developed to be the ultimate sliced apple, capable of staying as fresh looking and tasting as fresh-picked fruit. By turning off the enzyme responsible for enzymatic browning, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), Arctic apple varieties resist browning caused by bruising and slicing, reducing the number of apples damaged throughout the supply chain and extending the shelf life of their fresh sliced products to an unprecedented 28 days.
"This significant milestone marks another step forward in our continued sustainability mission," says Don Westcott, president of OSF. "The Arctic Gala is ideal for a wide range of applications, including salads, charcuterie boards, and lunchboxes. Its extended shelf life also makes it an excellent choice for foodservice providers, retailers, and consumers alike."
The company will continue to be dedicated to expanding its portfolio of non-browning Arctic apple varieties to extend its reach and meet the evolving needs and preferences of its customers. Arctic Honey and Arctic Pink are next on the horizon.
For more information:
Rebecca Catlett
Okanagan Specialty Fruits
[email protected]
https://osfruits.com/