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.

 

The Empress Tomato

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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.  

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Where can I buy Empress Limited Edition tomatoes?

NHP is partnering with Red Sun Farms to sell the Empress Purple Tomato. The initial commercial launch is planned for Spring 2024 in select farmers markets and grocery stores. Stay tuned for updates! ​

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Is the Empress Limited Edition Tomato bioengineered? 

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

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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. ​

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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.​

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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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NHP Purple Tomato seeds for home gardeners

 

Where can I buy Purple Tomato seeds?

NHP has closed seed sales for the current growing season. We plan to reopen sales for the 2025 in December/January.  We will announce sales on our web site. Please check back with us at that time.  

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

 

​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! ​

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​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.

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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.

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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. We thank a customer for pointing out that this site is claiming to be selling Purple Galaxy tomatoes.

 

​Is NHP's Purple Tomato related to the "Purple Galaxy"?

We have received many questions about the purple tomato marketed by Baker Creek as “Purple Galaxy” in their 2024 catalogs. We understand from Baker Creek that they will not be selling seeds of this variety. Given its remarkable similarity to our purple tomato, we prompted Baker Creek to investigate their claim that Purple Galaxy was non-GMO. We are told that laboratory testing determined that it is, in fact, bioengineered (GMO). This result supports the fact that the only reported way to produce a purple-fleshed tomato rich in anthocyanin antioxidants is with Norfolk’s patented technology. We appreciate that Baker Creek tested their material, and after discovering it was a GMO, removed it from their website. We welcome all questions and conversations about our bioengineered tomato. We are encouraged by the tremendous response from thousands of gardeners purchasing our seeds.