What makes an apple a FLIA winner? The story of POMPUR
POMPUR brings the joy of eating apples back to people with apple allergies – and won the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2026 for it. What’s behind its success?
Biting into a crisp apple? For people with apple allergies, that’s often not a given. Züchtungsinitiative Niederelbe (ZIN) wants to change that. With POMPUR, the breeding initiative has developed two scientifically tested, allergy-friendly apple varieties. In February 2026, the innovation impressed the international trade audience at FRUIT LOGISTICA and won the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA) in the Fresh Produce category.
Around 20 years of breeding work lie behind this success. Ulrich Buchterkirch, Maik Stölken and Matthias Schmoldt of ZIN share how POMPUR came about, what winning the FLIA has changed and which challenges still lie ahead.
A big moment at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026: Züchtungsinitiative Niederelbe (ZIN) receives the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award in the Fresh Produce category for its POMPUR apple varieties. From left to right: [Ulrich Buchterkirch] (1st); [Matthias Schmoldt] (3rd); [Maik Stölken] (6th) (Copyright: Messe Berlin)
Your innovation could be next! Companies can submit their developments for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award 2027 in the Fresh Produce and Technology categories until October 31, 2026.
How an idea became POMPUR
How did the idea for POMPUR come about?
Ulrich Buchterkirch: “Anyone who breeds new apple varieties is always looking for something special. With POMPUR, we were driven by a different question: What about people who can no longer eat apples because they’re allergic? Can we give them back the pleasure of a fresh apple?
With the varieties ZIN 168 and ZIN 186, we developed exactly that solution. POMPUR combines scientifically tested allergy friendliness with great taste and a pleasant texture. Because even a special apple has to do one thing above all: taste good.”
An award that gets attention
What has winning the FLIA changed for POMPUR?
Maik Stölken: “Winning the FLIA is a special recognition for us. POMPUR is the result of many years of work and numerous partners, from breeding and research to market launch.
Being recognized by an international trade audience means a lot to us – and it brought us additional attention. During and after FRUIT LOGISTICA, we received numerous inquiries.
Recently, another award followed: the German Innovation Award for Horticulture (Deutscher Innovationspreis Gartenbau) from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) for POMPUR and the development of our allergy-friendly apple varieties.”
Scientifically tested tolerability
What makes POMPUR allergy-friendly?
Matthias Schmoldt: “POMPUR is aimed especially at people who react to the apple allergen Mal d 1 due to a cross-allergy with birch pollen.
We had the tolerability of both varieties scientifically tested over several years, including at the Technical University of Munich and Charité in Berlin. Both varieties are ECARF-certified.
Of course, allergy-friendly doesn’t mean that allergic reactions can be 100% ruled out, since allergies vary greatly from person to person. But we offer people who often had to go without apples a scientifically tested alternative with very high tolerability.”
The challenge: Back on the apple shelf
What was the biggest challenge in bringing POMPUR to market?
Ulrich Buchterkirch: “Developing an allergy-friendly apple is one thing. Reaching the people it’s meant for is another.
People who haven’t bought apples in years often don’t even look at the apple shelf in the supermarket anymore. That’s why we need to make POMPUR visible and communicate its special qualities right at the point of sale.
At the same time, its taste and texture also appeal to people without an apple allergy. We want to establish POMPUR as an attractive apple brand in retail.”
Looking ahead
What’s next for POMPUR?
Maik Stölken: “We want to raise awareness of POMPUR, reach new consumers and expand production in line with demand. At the same time, we’re developing further variety innovations. POMPUR shows what targeted breeding can achieve – and motivates us to keep going down this path.”
Why applying for the FLIA pays off
What would you advise companies that want to apply for FLIA 2027?
Matthias Schmoldt: “Take this opportunity! Just the chance to present an innovation to an international trade audience at FRUIT LOGISTICA makes applying worthwhile.
Where else do so many people from the international fresh produce industry come together who are interested in new products and innovative solutions?
If you’ve developed something new, you should use this stage and show the potential of your innovation.”
Your innovation could be next!
POMPUR shows how an idea and years of research can become an award-winning innovation. In 2027, the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award once again gives companies an international stage for new products and technologies.