Up to 16 per cent of people with food allergy are said to be allergic or sensitive to tomatoes, so plant scientists have come up with a genetically modified tomato that contained 90% less profilin, a small protein that is said to contribute to fruits and vegetables allergy.

Extracts of both the GM and wild-type tomatoes were prepared and 16 people with diagnosed tomato allergies were recruited to test for an allergic response using a skin-prick test.

The researchers report that when volunteers were sensitive to only one tomato allergen, the GM tomatoes significantly improved the allergic response. However, when patients were sensitive to several tomato allergens the response was less pronounced.

The scientists said, however that the technique they employed could sbe a possible approach with which other food items that cause allergic reactions may be transformed. If this would only work on peanuts!