Editing Flavr Savr (section)

== Tomato paste ==

In the UK, [[Zeneca]] produced a tomato paste that used technology similar to the Flavr Savr.<ref>{{cite web|author=Center for Environmental Risk Assessment|title=GM Crop Database:Tomato|publisher=International Life Sciences Institute|url=http://cera-gmc.org/index.php?evidcode=&hstIDXCode=11&gType=&AbbrCode=&atCode=&stCode=&coIDCode=&action=gm_crop_database&mode=Submit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725152329/http://cera-gmc.org/index.php?evidcode=&hstIDXCode=11&gType=&AbbrCode=&atCode=&stCode=&coIDCode=&action=gm_crop_database&mode=Submit|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 25, 2011}}{{dl|date=July 2021}}</ref> [[Don Grierson (geneticist)|Don Grierson]] was involved in the research to make the genetically modified tomato.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=108313&sectioncode=26 |title=A puree genius at his work |publisher=Times Higher Education |date=1998-07-17 |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref> Due to the characteristics of the tomato, it was cheaper to produce than conventional tomato paste, resulting in the product being 20% cheaper. Between 1996 and 1999, 1.8 million cans, clearly labelled as genetically engineered, were sold in the major [[supermarket]] chains [[Sainsbury's]] and [[Safeway UK]]. At one point, the paste outsold normal tomato paste, but sales fell in the autumn of 1998.

The [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]] published a report in which they stated that the decline in sales during this period was linked to changing consumer perceptions of [[genetically modified crop]]s.<ref>{{cite web |author1=House of Commons Science |author2=Technology Committee | title = Scientific Advisory System: Genetically Modified Foods | date=May 18, 1999 | url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmselect/cmsctech/286/28605.htm | access-date=May 4, 2011}}</ref> The report identified several possible factors, including product labeling and perception of choice, lobbying campaigns, and media attention. It concluded that the tone of media reports on the subject underwent a "fundamental shift" in response to a high-profile incident in which Dr. [[Arpad Pusztai]], a researcher for Rowett Research Institute, was fired after making a televised claim about detrimental health effects in laboratory rats fed a diet of [[genetically modified potato]]es (see the [[Pusztai affair]]). Subsequent peer review and testimony by Dr. Pusztai led the House Science and Technology Select Committee to conclude that his initial claim was "contradicted by his own evidence." In the intervening period, Sainsbury's and Safeway both pledged that none of their house-brand products would contain genetically modified ingredients.<ref name=":2">[https://calag.ucanr.edu/Archive/?article=ca.v054n04p6#:~:text=The%20FLAVR%20SAVR%20tomato%20was,success%2C%20and%20then%20commercial%20demise. The case of the FLAVR SAVR tomato] July 1, 2000. G. Bruening & J.M. Lyons, ''California Agriculture'' 54(4):6-7</ref>