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Frequently asked questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions about our Purple Tomatoes, the Purple Tomato seeds we are selling, and about bioengineered/genetically modified food in general. We welcome your questions at info@norfolkhealthyproduce.com.

 

NHP Purple Tomato seeds for home gardeners

 

Where can I buy Purple Tomato seeds?

NHP will open seed sales on December 2, 2024 for the 2025 season!

The only legitimate and legal source of Purple Tomato seeds is Norfolk Healthy Produce.

 

​What are the Terms and Conditions of purchasing Purple Tomato seeds from NHP?

Terms and Conditions - 

By purchasing NHP Purple Tomato seeds, I accept the following conditions:

*Seeds, fruit and plant material are only allowed in the USA.

*The seeds are a patented variety and are sold to enjoy in your home garden and with your local community.

*No sales of fruit, seeds or plants are permitted in this agreement, including any derived varieties.

*These seeds come with no warranties.

*If you have issues with your seeds, please contact us right away at info@norfolkhealthyproduce.com.  We want to help you be a Happy Gardener! All seed sales are final. Once your credit card is charged, the sale is complete. 

*All order concerns must be communicated by May 1, 2025 to info@norfolkhealthyproduce.com.

​I have never started tomatoes from seeds before. How do I do it?

We have a page dedicated to helping the home grower successfully germinate and plant their Purple Tomato seeds. Happy Gardening! ​

​Is the home gardener Purple Tomato variety bioengineered ?
Yes, the Purple Tomato is bioengineered for health and nutrition.
 
Is the variety NHP is currently selling an heirloom or a hybrid?

The 2024 Purple Tomato variety is inbred like an heirloom tomato. ​

 

Should I be concerned about cross-pollination from these Purple Tomato plants with other tomato varieties in my garden?

Our tomato plants are no different than any other variety in your garden -- if you grow several varieties side-by-side without concerns, then the Purple Tomato can be treated in the same way. ​

 

Will my Purple Tomato fruit make seeds? If I save the seeds, will they be viable and will the plants be the same Purple Tomato plants?

Yes, this variety will produce fruit with seeds. The seeds will be viable and will produce Purple Tomato plants. Growers can save the seeds and enjoy the plants and fruits in your home garden and with your local community. The same Terms and Conditions apply to future generations.

Why would I eat a bioengineered purple tomato instead of a conventionally-bred tomato?

It's your choice! Some of us prefer Sun Gold cherry tomatoes from our backyard garden, or heirloom beefsteak tomatoes from the local farmers' market, while others prefer to buy whatever fruit is on sale at their grocery store. Some of us prefer to get diverse nutrients from fruits and vegetables, while others rely on supplements. ​Our bio-engineered purple tomato makes anthocyanins (antioxidants) in its fruit because two genes from snapdragon plants were added using a well-established and understood technology adapted from nature. This precise approach means that the rest of the tomato genome comes from domesticated varieties with established qualities for production, yield and flavor. Our approach also makes tomatoes with much higher levels of anthocyanins than purple tomatoes made by traditional plant breeding methods.​

 

Why are Norfolk products - seeds and tomatoes - available only in the USA ?

Bioengineered products are currently regulated in most countries. Norfolk worked diligently with the USDA and FDA to review our patented bioengineered technology. This voluntary process was completed in June 2023 when the FDA announced that it had no further questions, paving the way for Norfolk to start bringing its products to the market. At present, we have only sought regulatory approval in the US, so growing Purple Tomatoes is not yet permitted in any other country.

What is NHP's return policy?

If you have issues with your seeds, please contact us right away at info@norfolkhealthyproduce.com. We want to help you be a Happy Gardener!​All seed sales are final. Once your credit card is charged, the sale is complete. ​

 

I have seen purple tomato seeds being sold on other web sites? Are these seeds the same variety?

No! The only legitimate and legal source of NHP Purple Tomato Seeds is from NHP on this web site. 

The Empress Tomato
What is the Empress Limited Edition tomato?
The Empress Purple Tomato was bred by NHP to be a beautiful and tasty nutrient-dense food. The Empress came from the same breeding program as the Purple Tomato that was sold to home gardeners spring 2024.  
Where can I buy Empress Limited Edition tomatoes?

NHP partners with Red Sun Farms to sell the Empress Purple Tomato. The 2024 commercial launch was in select Food City, Lidls, and Food Lion stores in the southeast. The consumer acceptance of the bioengineered Empress  The The 2025 Empress will be sold in locations to be announced. 

Is the Empress Limited Edition Tomato bioengineered? 

Yes, the Empress Tomato is bioengineered for health and nutrition.

How are bioengineered foods regulated in the USA?

A comprehensive explanation of GMO regulation can be found here on the FDA web site. Please see our Regulatory Information page for a full listing of Norfolk Plant Sciences and Norfolk Healthy Produce regulatory documents. ​

Why would I eat a bioengineered purple tomato instead of a conventionally-bred purple tomato?

It's your choice! Some of us prefer Sun Gold cherry tomatoes from our backyard garden, or heirloom beefsteak tomatoes from the local farmers' market, while others prefer to buy whatever fruit is on sale at their grocery store.

 

Some of us prefer to get diverse nutrients from fruits and vegetables, while others rely on supplements. ​Our bio-engineered purple tomato makes anthocyanins (antioxidants) in its fruit because two genes from snapdragon plants were added using a well-established and understood technology adapted from nature.

 

This precise approach means that the rest of the tomato genome comes from domesticated varieties with established qualities for production, yield and flavor. Our approach also makes tomatoes with much higher levels of anthocyanins than purple tomatoes made by traditional plant breeding methods.​

What is the difference between a GMO food and a bioengineered food?

From the FDA: Bioengineered food is the term that Congress used to describe certain types of GMOs when they passed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. The Standard defines bioengineered foods as those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through certain lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature.

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