Summerland, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF) BB #:337660, the developer and grower behind the innovative Arctic® apple varieties, is pleased to announce 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,” explained 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 Arcticapples with confidence.”
The ArcticGala joins the product lineup of OSF’s previously approved apple varieties, which include Arctic Golden, ArcticGranny, and Arctic Fuji. The Arctic Gala, along with its predecessors, are the only apples that are 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 OSF’s continued sustainability mission,” says Don Westcott, President of OSF. “The Arctic Gala’s flavor profile is sure to please apple enthusiasts. The variety 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.”
OSF will continue to be dedicated to expanding its portfolio of nonbrowning Arctic apple varieties in order to extend its reach and to meet the evolving needs and preferences of its customers. Arctic® Honey and Arctic® Pink are next on the horizon.
About Okanagan Specialty Fruits & Arctic Apples
Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, growing, processing, and marketing of novel tree fruit varieties developed through bioengineering. Based in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada, OSF was founded in 1996 and acquired by an affiliate of Third Security, LLC in 2019. OSF’s flagship product is its Arctic apple varieties. Arctic apples provide a sustainable solution to less food waste and improved apple consumption. For consumer information, visit www.arcticapples.com; to learn more about the company’s newest venture, Endless Orchard Hard-Pressed Cider, visit www.eocider.com. For company information and partnership opportunities, visitwww.okspecialtyfruits.com.
