Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 7, 2008 1:32:59 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Global Food Chain Ensures Ills Never Go Out of Season

Posted Jun 11, 08 1:01 PM CDT in Arts & Living,  Opinion,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – On the heels of a tomato scare, US consumers need to look closely at the risks and ever-rising costs of the global network that supplies produce no matter the season, Tim Rutten writes in the Los Angeles Times. "When one packer's tainted produce goes to three or four countries, what would have been a local problem becomes an international one," he notes.

The globalized produce industry also compromises flavor, writes Rutten, noting, "tomatoes and tree fruit grown and shipped in this fashion seldom come even remotely close to tasting the way a tomato or a peach is supposed to taste." Yet another factor to consider "next time you get the urge for insalata Caprese in March."

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Salmonella Outbreak Likely Over: CDC

    Aug 28, 08 1:40 PM CDT
    Salmonella Outbreak Likely Over: CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today the salmonella outbreak that sickened more than 1,440 people appears to be over. A joint investigation by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration found strong evidence that jalapeno peppers were a major carrier of the bacteria, and that serrano peppers were also a carrier. More »

  • Salmonella at Mexico Farm: FDA

    Jul 30, 08 3:07 PM CDT
    Salmonella at Mexico Farm: FDA The salmonella strain linked to a nationwide outbreak has been found in irrigation water and a serrano pepper at a Mexican farm, federal health officials said today. The FDA's food safety chief called the finding a key breakthrough in the case, as did another health official. "We have a smoking gun, it appears," said a CDC director. More »

  • Tomatoes OK, FDA Says

    Jul 17, 08 3:20 PM CDT
    Tomatoes OK, FDA Says The US government has declared it's OK to eat tomatoes again, lifting its salmonella warning amid signs that the outbreak, while not over, may finally be slowing. Officials reiterated earlier warnings that the people most at risk of salmonella should avoid hot peppers, particularly jalapenos and serranos. The Food and Drug Administration is sending inspectors to Mexico to investigate a packing house that receives peppers from a number of farms. More »

  • Fla. Tomato Growers Seek Millions in Salmonella Relief

    Jul 15, 08 4:16 PM CDT
    Fla. Tomato Growers Seek Millions in Salmonella Relief Florida tomato growers are seeking millions from Congress to help pay for a "blatant blunder" by federal agencies in the salmonella investigation that has gravely damaged their sales, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports. Conservative estimates put the losses of Florida’s growers at $100 million, with estimates reaching beyond $300 million when growers in other states and associated shipping and vending are included. More »

  • Salmonella Now Largest Food-Borne Outbreak in US

    Jul 9, 08 7:30 PM CDT
    Salmonella Now Largest Food-Borne Outbreak in US The number of salmonella cases has surpassed 1,000, making it the nation's largest food-borne outbreak, says the CDC. Despite the volume of cases, investigators still can't quite pinpoint the exact cause or source, LiveScience reports. Certain types of tomatoes, hot peppers and cilantro—the main ingredients of salsa—remain the main suspects. More »

Workers separate tomatoes at the sprawling Central de Abastos market in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 10, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A plum tomato.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A box of Louisiana creole tomatoes.   (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 7)

Tags

tomatoes  • salmonella  • fruits and vegetables  • produce  • local produce


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, pe