Scientists create tomatoes genetically edited to bolster vitamin D levels

The tomato plants were created by making tiny changes to an existing tomato gene using an editing technique called Crispr-Cas9. Photograph: Jupiterimages/Getty Images

Scientists have created genetically edited tomatoes, each containing as much provitamin D3 – the precursor to vitamin D – as two eggs or a tablespoon of tuna.

Outdoor field trials of the tomatoes are expected to begin in the UK next month, and if successful, could provide an important new dietary source of vitamin D.