Apples Modified to Resist Bruising Receive Federal Approval

Don't expect to see them soon, but they could be coming to your local grocery store — two types of apples genetically modified to resist turning brown after they're bruised or sliced.

Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny Smith are being developed by a Canadian company, Specialty Fruits Inc. of Summerland, British Columbia.

The Agriculture Department gave its OK on Friday — saying the apples aren't likely to pose a plant pest risk and or have "a significant impact on the human environment."

The first Arctic apples are expected to be available in late 2016 in small, test-market quantities.

It takes apple trees several years to produce significant quantities, so it'll take time before the genetically-modified apples are widely distributed.