{
  "id": 3821827,
  "title": "Household waste could make for sweeter tomatoes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/household-waste-could-make-for-sweeter-tomatoes",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-27T21:30:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/compost-made-from-food-waste-could-improve-tomato-flavour/107076502"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Queensland researchers have discovered that adding FOGO compost to soil can enhance the taste of tomatoes. This improvement became more noticeable as the fruits were stored for longer periods. While farmers consider the benefits versus costs, researchers are also exploring whether other crops could benefit from this technique. Household waste could hold the key to tastier tomatoes, according to new research from the University of Queensland. Compost made from food organics and garden organics, or FOGO, was applied to half of a Solanum lycopersicum cv. Ninja tomato crop. Although the researchers did not observe a difference in yield, they found a change in the sensory and biochemical quality of the tomatoes after storage. The blind taste-test from volunteers indicated that the FOGO-grown tomatoes were perceived as sweeter, more aromatic, and less bland. Chemical analysis revealed a higher sugar concentration, lower malic acid, and increased umami-associated amino acids, contributing to the sweeter flavor. The findings may encourage more food and garden waste to be diverted from landfills, which currently generate greenhouse gases. Molly Chapman from End Food Waste Australia highlighted that about 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted annually in Australia, equivalent to throwing away 29 million plates of food daily and wasting $36 billion. The National Food Waste Strategy aims to halve the country's food waste by 2030. Currently, more than 160 councils in Australia offer green-lid wheelie bins for food and garden organics collection, but trials have been discontinued in some areas due to various reasons. The researchers are now investigating whether the benefits of the added compost can be extended to other horticultural and broadacre crops. North Queensland Farmers chair Carl Walker noted that while growers prioritize soil improvements, the economics of implementing FOGO compost on commercial farms would hinge on a significant increase in flavor and texture.",
  "summary": "Research has found the flavour and aroma of tomatoes improve when compost made from food and garden organics is added to the soil.",
  "key_points": [
    "Adding FOGO compost to soil enhances tomato taste.",
    "FOGO-grown tomatoes are sweeter, more aromatic, less bland.",
    "Chemical analysis shows higher sugar, lower malic acid, increased umami."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}