Big news out of the tomato industry

Purple vegetables aren’t exactly new. There’s purple potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and even tomatoes. Actually, nevermind — tomatoes are a fruit.

Anyway, after nearly 20 years of development, the USDA approved UK-based Norfolk Plant Sciences’ purple tomato for commercial use — significant for its potential health benefits.

What’s so special about this tomato?

The team used genes from the snapdragon flower to produce anthocyanin, an antioxidant-rich pigment also found in blackberries that may lower the risk of cancer.

• In a 2008 study, cancer-susceptible mice that were fed high-anthocyanin tomatoes lived 30% longer than those that were fed red tomatoes.

The team now plans to develop and sell purple cherry tomatoes, tomato juice, sun-dried tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and the seeds themselves.

At first, though, expect a juicy price tag. In 2016, the US approved a juicier, sweeter pink pineapple for sale. On one site, you can find them for ~$40. Another offers them for ~$12.