Pineapple

Market Status

A genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) pineapple called “PinkGlow” is in a few grocery stores in Canada. It is sold loose or in a pink cardboard box. It is genetically engineered to have pink flesh and is grown by Del Monte in Costa Rica.

There is no mandatory GM food labelling in Canada but the box carries the line “This product was made possible through bioengineering” which complies with the new U.S. disclosure law which requires some (but not all) GM foods to be labelled in the U.S.

February 15, Save On Foods grocery flyer

February 2025: The pineapple is sold in Costco stores and was advertised by Save On Foods (Pattison Group) in their 2025 Valentine’s week flyer. Save On Foods advertised the GM pineapple without mentioning that it is genetically modified.

If you object to Save On Foods advertising and selling the GM pineapple, you can click here to write your objection.

If you object to Costco selling this GM pineapple, you can contact Costco head office online. The produce managers at your local Costco warehouse do not choose which products to order – the decisions are made by the head office of Costco. Costco does not sell the GM salmon but it does sell the first GM whole fruit in Canada. If you are a Costco member, register your complaint today.

More Information

The GM pink pineapple was approved for eating in Canada in 2021. The GM pink pineapple was developed through the introduction of several gene expression constructs, some for expression of enzymes from other plant species (PSY gene from tangerine for lycopene biosynthesis; SuRBHra (ALS) from tobacco for transformant selection based on herbicide tolerance), and others for endogenous gene expression silencing using RNAi (bLcy and eLcy for conversion of lycopene into other carotenoids; flACC3′ for ethylene biosynthesis). Summary from Health Canada. For details see: Novel food information: Event EF2-114 Pineapple