They're making purple tomatoes

Tomatoes have lots of health benefits going for them. But what if the popular red fruit could be engineered to be even better for you?

That’s what scientists are working on in an Ontario greenhouse. Except the tomatoes aren’t red. They’re purple.

Researchers with the U.K.-based John Innes Centre are this month harvesting genetically modified purple tomatoes that contain anthocyanins, cancer-fighting compounds found in blueberries.

Adding anthocyanins to tomatoes could boost the nutritional value of everyday foods like pasta and pizza.

“With these purple tomatoes you can get the same compounds that are present in blueberries and cranberries that give them their health benefits. But you can apply them to foods that people actually eat in significant amounts and are reasonably affordable.” genetic researcher Cathie Martin said.

So why are British scientists testing the tomatoes in Canada? Because, says Martin, Canada food regulatory system is more open to genetically modified foods than in many other countries.

Read the full story here. And see a video about purple tomatoes below.