Produce World is t
rialling red varieties of the Brussels sprout. The firm is also developing stronger tasting versions, to appeal to the sprout 'traditionalist'. Milder-tasting sprouts are also being trialled at the plant.
The company says Lincolnshire is its only branch to test these varieties. If the trial goes well, it looks to supply them to major supermarkets by 2014.
Dara O'Docherty is new product development manager for Produce World, and said no genetic modification was involved in creating the varieties. "They have just been bred and if they get something with a sweeter flavour they breed it into the line. There is no genetic modification."
Ms O'Docherty said testers had been deciding which sprouts were best to breed. "We have been testing them throughout the season to make sure they keep their flavour. We are also looking at stronger 'man' sprouts. There is no harm in it I think, everything is about educating and marketing and making people more aware that something is available not just for Christmas, it is for all year."
She believes creating the new veg wouldn't compete with traditional Lincolnshire farmers. "Everybody is looking at new things, everyone who is interested in moving the veg industry forwards," Ms O'Docherty added.
rialling red varieties of the Brussels sprout. The firm is also developing stronger tasting versions, to appeal to the sprout 'traditionalist'. Milder-tasting sprouts are also being trialled at the plant.The company says Lincolnshire is its only branch to test these varieties. If the trial goes well, it looks to supply them to major supermarkets by 2014.
Dara O'Docherty is new product development manager for Produce World, and said no genetic modification was involved in creating the varieties. "They have just been bred and if they get something with a sweeter flavour they breed it into the line. There is no genetic modification."
Ms O'Docherty said testers had been deciding which sprouts were best to breed. "We have been testing them throughout the season to make sure they keep their flavour. We are also looking at stronger 'man' sprouts. There is no harm in it I think, everything is about educating and marketing and making people more aware that something is available not just for Christmas, it is for all year."
She believes creating the new veg wouldn't compete with traditional Lincolnshire farmers. "Everybody is looking at new things, everyone who is interested in moving the veg industry forwards," Ms O'Docherty added.
