The Purple Tomato Story; From Laboratory Bench to the Consumer.

A world apart from academic research, the path from developing a polyphenol-rich crop to a product available to consumers is not one taken by many research scientists. Here we review the steps taken to commercialize anthocyanin-enriched purple tomatoes in the USA. In describing some of the difficulties encountered and the work that was necessary for a successful commercial launch of a new biotech product, we hope to encourage others to believe that there is a viable route to market, and an appetite for polyphenol-enriched foods that can protect health.