‘Sunshine’ Tomato Gains UK Approval

The gene-edited ‘Sunshine’ tomato has reached a historic regulatory milestone in England, bringing the biofortified, vitamin D-enriched crop one step closer to commercial distribution. Developed in the laboratory of Professor Cathie Martin FRS at the John Innes Centre, the tomato is the research institute’s first crop to receive precision bred organism (PBO) marketing approval. The official precision bred organism marketing notice (reference: PBM/26/SOLY/001) was published on 27 August 2026 for Solanum lycopersicum, submitted by the John Innes Centre in Norwich.

Addressing the widespread problem of vitamin D deficiency, the biofortified tomato provides high levels of pro-vitamin D3 in both its fruit and leaves and was recently featured in a landmark study examining nutrient bioavailability at the Quadram Institute.

“I am passionate about science supporting public health, and with vitamin D deficiency a widespread problem, our biofortified tomato could one day be a low-cost, simple, plant-based solution that can improve diets across the world,” Professor Martin said.

“This is an important step in getting the tomato approved to go to market in England, and I want to thank all my colleagues in the institute and further afield who have collaborated on this important project.”

Tomatoes naturally synthesize pro-vitamin D3 as an intermediate compound before converting it into plant defense substances. Using gene editing, Professor Martin and her research team precisely modified the tomato’s genetic structure so that pro-vitamin D3 accumulates at higher levels in the fruit and leaves. When exposed to sunlight or UVB light, the compound converts into vitamin D3, the stable form utilized by humans. Each tomato can potentially contain as much vitamin D as two eggs or 28 grams of tuna, all while leaving the plant’s appearance, growth, and yield completely unchanged.

According to the official UK government marketing notification, the intended application covers several commercial pathways:

“3. Intended use of the precision bred plant: Commercialised in England for use in human nutrition as a biofortified food to counteract endemic Vitamin D deficiency, especially in autumn and winter seasons. Its intended final end-consumer product is for fresh consumption as well as processed. Also, to be cultivated in England to produce a (pro-)Vitamin D formulation suitable for the production of vitaminic supplements and/or as ingredient for food biofortification. Such commercialization will follow future legislation directives regarding the listing of precision bred plant varieties in England. “

As a next step toward commercial release, scientists are combining the trait with sweeter-tasting, visually distinct striped varieties intended for sale as the ‘Sunshine’ tomato. Before the fruit can enter consumer market channels, an application for final approval must also be submitted to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Sources: Seed World, John Innes Centre, gov.uk