Innovation Award for the low-allergen apple variety "Pompur"
Research |
The allergy-friendly apple variety called “Pompur” is actually on the market since the fall of 2025. The name is a combination of the word roots POM (= apple) and PUR (= pure). “Pompur” was the first apple brand to be certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF).
“The majority of apple allergy sufferers in Northern and Central Europe, as well as in North America, react to the allergen Mal d 1. This protein has a very similar molecular structure to the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. Hence, birch pollen allergy sufferers often also experience unpleasant side effects from eating apples,” Prof. Wilfried Schwab explained the problem and challenge a few years ago.
Breeding Initiative and Researchers Collaborate on the “Pompur” Apple
This was preceded by a long-standing collaboration between the Züchtungsinitiative Niederelbe (Breeding Initiative), Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, and the Technical University of Munich (TUM). People with allergies tested numerous newly bred apple varieties under the supervision of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin until two varieties ultimately proved to be the most suitable and were given the joint name “Pompur.”
This new apple variety is grown exclusively by select fruit farms and member companies of the Züchtungsinitiative Niederelbe in the Altes Land region between Cuxhaven and Hamburg. “Pompur” consists of two varieties: one ripens in August, the other in October, and stores well. Currently, there are around 250,000 trees on the member farms’ orchards, and plans are in place to double that number.
Innovation Award for the “Pompur” Apple
The Niederelbe Breeding Initiative was recently honored with the FLIA, the international award of the fruit trade sector, at the Fruit Logistica trade fair: It received the Innovation Award in the “Fresh Produce” category for breeding this allergy-friendly apple.
Even though there is no such thing as a completely allergen-free apple, the new variety offers many people with allergies the chance to finally enjoy an apple again: The red Pompur apple is crisp, juicy, and has a slightly sweet taste.
