Baker Creek regrets to inform you that we will not sell seeds of the Purple Galaxy tomato, which we previewed in our 2024 catalogs. After repeated testing, we are unable to conclusively establish that the Purple Galaxy does not contain any genes that have been genetically modified. Baker Creek remains steadfast in its commitment to selling only heirloom and open-pollinated, non-Genetically Modified (“non-GM”) varieties.
Baker Creek is one of nearly 400 companies that subscribe to the Safe Seed Pledge first created by the Council for Responsible Genetics in 1999. Indeed, we are one of the leaders in the movement to keep gardens free of genetically-engineered plants. In the decades before CRG wrote its Pledge, Big Ag had used genetic engineering to manipulate the DNA of seeds and, by patenting them and suing farmers to “enforce” those patent rights and avoid responsibility for GM contamination of nearby crops, Big Ag obtained significant control the world’s food supply. CRG’s Safe Seed Pledge explains why genetically modified seeds present a threat:
"The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms poses great biological risks as well as economic, political and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately people and communities."
When we previewed the Purple Galaxy tomato in our 2024 catalog, we believed it was scientifically confirmed to not be a GM tomato. We sourced the seed for the Purple Galaxy from a plant breeder in Europe—where GM tomatoes are not approved—who has collected rare tomato seeds for decades and grows more than 1,000 varieties of tomatoes annually. We actively followed his attempts to breed a purple flesh tomato over the course of three years. In the beginning, using two varieties, he had a fruit that was definitely not purple; it was a purplish red with a few purple streaks. Cultivating five generations over three years, he ultimately had a beautiful tomato with purple skin and flesh. We then traveled to Europe to see the plants for ourselves.
Before we would publicly preview the tomato in our catalog, we sent samples of the Purple Galaxy to the European laboratory of one of the world’s largest and most respected international laboratories. We often have used their labs in the United States. They took their time researching and then testing the tomato, and they reported that it did not contain the two genetic markers they measured for. Having monitored the development of the Purple Galaxy over three years in a country that does not allow GMO crops and should thus be free of contamination, and having examined it ourselves up close and subjected it to rigorous testing by a world-renowned lab, we were excited to preview it with you in our 2024 catalog.
But after our 2024 catalog was released, we continued to conduct testing on the Purple Galaxy some of which were inconclusive Also, we were contacted by Norfolk. At this point we decided to put production of Purple Galaxy on hold due to concerns of GMO contamination. Norfolk Healthy Produce is a subsidiary of a European GM Ag company with large, Big Ag investors. Norfolk holds the patent to (and sells) a genetically-engineered purple flesh tomato. Norfolk expressed concern that the Purple Galaxy might have been derived from its patented genetically-engineered tomato, and it suggested additional genes to test for.
Subsequent laboratory testing conducted in conjunction with Norfolk did not conclusively establish a relationship between the Purple Galaxy and Norfolk’s GM purple tomato. Indeed, such contamination should be unlikely in Europe, given its approach to GM crops. But the testing also did not conclusively establish that the Purple Galaxy is truly free of any genetically-modified material. Because we believe the safest plants are those which are open pollinated and not genetically engineered, we chose not to offer the Purple Galaxy seeds for sale and to discontinue production of them. And we reiterate our commitment to refrain from knowingly selling seeds for genetically modified plants. Baker Creek continues to believe that all outdoor GMO plantings should be banned outright due to the potential for cross-pollination and patent infringement issues that are causing a loss of genetic diversity, an increase in new weeds, and have threatened the livelihood of family farmers.
For more than 25 years, Baker Creek has been a leading voice for stewarding non-GMO varieties and for mandating labels on all GM fruits and vegetables. Although we understand that you—like us—may be disappointed not to have a delicious non-GM purple flesh tomato in your garden, we are pleased that we were able to make this decision before a single seed of Purple Galaxy was made available to customers.
Please direct all questions or concerns to us at seeds@rareseeds.com, or use the form below.
