Years ago, Tropicana used the slogan “Flavors Mother Nature never intended” to sell mixed juices to Americans. In a moden-day version, the USDA is tracking down petunias with colors that nature never intended — they’re genetically engineered to produce blooms of orange, red and purple with names such as African Sunset, Trilogy Mango and Sweetunia Orange Flash.
“Consumers who may have purchased GE petunias need take no action,” said USDA, “as the petunias are not considered to pose a threat to human health or the environment.” But USDA asked retailers, growers and breeders to withdraw voluntarily the plants from distribution. “Several distributors have already voluntarily removed GE petunias from distribution and destroyed them,” it said.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regulates the introduction of GE plants into commercial use and requires evidence that the new breeds will not be a threat to other plants. APHIS said it began checking petunias early this month after a plant company said an orange petunia variety might be engineered. As of mid-May, the agency found nine GE varieties. The plants have come from all around the world.