Scientists Develop Bananas That Stay Yellow After Being Sliced

Bananas that resist turning brown after being peeled and sliced could soon become available to shoppers in England after a new gene-edited variety passed an important regulatory step.

The bananas were developed by Norwich-based biotechnology company Tropic Biosciences using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. The technique was used to alter genes involved in the browning process.

Keeping Bananas Fresh for Longer

Ordinary bananas begin to turn brown after being cut because an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase reacts with oxygen. Researchers modified three genes linked to the production of this enzyme.

According to Tropic Biosciences, the new bananas can remain yellow for around 24 hours after being peeled and may stay fresh-looking even longer when refrigerated. Other testing has indicated that sliced fruit can retain its appearance for several days.

Aiming to Reduce Food Waste

The development could have a practical impact because large quantities of edible bananas are discarded simply because they develop brown marks.

A UK government study has estimated that around 1.4 million edible bananas are thrown away each day in Britain. The company believes its variety could reduce waste during transportation, retail and at home.

The longer-lasting fruit could also make bananas easier to use in pre-packaged products such as fruit salads and breakfast pots, where browning can affect their appearance.

Not the Same as Traditional GM Crops

The new bananas were created through precision breeding rather than by introducing DNA from another species.

England’s precision-breeding rules allow certain targeted genetic changes when they could also have occurred naturally or through conventional breeding. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has already recognized the bananas under this framework.

Still Waiting for Final Safety Approval

The bananas are not yet ready for British supermarket shelves. They must first undergo a safety review by the Food Standards Agency before they can be sold to consumers.

The variety has already received approval for sale and consumption in countries including Japan and Brazil, while Brazil has also approved its cultivation.

A Possible Change to Everyday Fruit

If the final UK approval is granted, the bananas could become one of the first high-profile precision-bred fruits to reach British consumers.

For shoppers, the change could be simple: a banana that stays yellow and fresh-looking for longer. For researchers and growers, however, the technology represents a broader attempt to use gene editing to reduce food waste and improve the way crops are produced and transported.

Sources

• The Guardian — “Gene-edited bananas that don’t go brown could hit UK supermarkets” — September 28, 2026
• The Independent — “Bananas that don’t go brown could hit UK supermarkets after scientific breakthrough” — September 28, 2026
• Grocery Gazette — “Gene-edited bananas that resist browning move closer to UK supermarket shelves” — September 29, 2026