US Growers Suffer from Mexican Strawberries
California growers are taking an undeserved fall from this past week's tainted strawberry epidemic. The facts are that strawberries harvested in *Mexico* were contaminated with hepatitus A and illegally distributed by a US firm. But fresh strawberries grown here are not known to be harmful. In fact, California growers (who produce 80% of the strawberry crop) initiated a statewide quality-control program earlier this year that covers every step, from growing all the way to shipping. Unfortunately, many consumers register only that strawberries in general are dangerous. Despite damage- control efforts by the California Strawberry Commission, sales are dropping. In fact, many grocery retailers were jumping the gun ahead of measurable consumer sales by cutting back on their wholesale orders as soon as the outbreak was announced.
Unfortunately, California growers were also hurt last year by a similar instance. Contaminated raspberries hit the market and it took weeks to determine the source as being Guatemala. In the meantime, California farmers lost $20 million in sales. So, maybe we should all serve strawberries this week? Like the school kids in California, the growers could use a little shot in the arm.
Safer Eggs in the Future?
Israel is offering a safer egg on their shelves. Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Professor Shmuel Yannai argues that the current process of washing eggs in detergent then dipping them in wax actually promotes salmonella bacteria by weakening the shell and allowing the bacteria to enter the egg. He says that only 1 in 10,000 eggs are actually infected with salmonella, but that most cases result from the egg coming in contact with salmonella bacteria on the shell surface. His solution? An ozone and air mixture that kills the bacteria, fungus and any pathogens, without penetrating the egg itself. Plus, the mixture breaks down into common oxygen within a few minutes. According to the LA Times, these ozone- disinfected eggs will cost only pennies more than others and will be first sold in Israel.