Americans will soon be getting more beta-carotene from their pizza, thanks to
tomato-breeding work by the US Department of Agriculture. 鈥淭ypical tomatoes now
contain 2 to 5 micrograms of beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A, per
gram,鈥� says John Stommel, a plant geneticist with the Agricultural Research
Service in Beltsville, Maryland. 鈥淏ut the varieties we just released have over
55 micrograms per gram.鈥� He says the first crops are destined for tomato paste,
sauce and juice, but beefsteak and cherry tomatoes for salads will follow soon.
Vitamin A is an antioxidant, and is important for vision and the growth of
healthy bones and teeth.
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