Perils of irradiation, more on f/v allergies and USDA's cheese heavy commodity buys

Why does the USDA buy more mozzarella cheese than fresh tomatoes for the school lunch program? These and other mysteries are examined in today's headlines.....

Supermarkets told to be aware of f/v allergies International Supermarket News
TK: I'm not sure what to make of this "advice"...

A spokesperson for Allergy UK says: "What would be really helpful for customers, in addition to 'free-from' lists on packaging and labelling, is a categorising of what ingredients are absent from goods. There needs to be an indication of which ingredients have been altered in products from weeks to week and this needs to be quick and easy to read. With intolerance to certain fruits and vegetables, you can suffer symtoms like migraines and sickness, but allergies are a lot more rigid in terms of what the body can take. Death can result in extreme cases. We support customers' easy shopping, but above all we support their good health and safety".

Food fight looms in school nutrition legislation Watertown Daily Times
TK: Rep. Sam Farr takes issue with USDA purchases for school lunches

A California congressman is complaining that the U.S. Department of Agriculture buys far more mozzarella than tomatoes, favoring high-fat dairy products over what he considers healthier foods grown, not surprisingly, in his congressional district.

Later....

Mr. Farr complained to Mr. Vilsack that the government spends just $51,000 on fresh tomatoes and $90 million on mozzarella cheese for the program, according to a news report. That is less than the Food and Nutrition Service reported for the cheese, and Ms. Zorrilla said the program spent $351 million last year on all types of fruits and vegetables.During the past two decades, she said, the USDA has expanded its offerings of fruits and vegetables and has reduced the sugar and fat in the program's offerings.More changes could be on the way, even if they are not as extensive as Mr. Farr seeks. The five-year farm bill enacted by Congress last year expanded programs for specialty crops, and lawmakers have been looking for ways to let schools provide more locally grown crops as well.

TK: The USDA didn't specify fresh purchases, of course. Bravo to Rep. Farr for rattling the cage of the USDA on this issue. It's not that the USDA isn't trying to buy more fresh, but they should be farther down the road than they are.

Soap scrub or spray: best way to clean f/v? Pittsburgh Post GazetteQuiz time, food mavens.

Which of the following is the best way to wash your fruits and vegetables:

A) Soak in distilled water.

B) Scrub with a vegetable brush under running water.

C) Spray with a commercial produce wash such as Fit.

D) Spray with a homemade solution of water and lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda.

E) It depends.

If you answered E, you're right. And it depends not only on the type of produce but also on who's dispensing the advice.The Food and Drug Administration recommends one method; researchers at the University of Maine advocate another. The makers of commercial produce washes such as Fit and Veggie Wash say their products work best, but lots of Web sites say the homemade stuff is just as good, and cheaper.

Mainer to chair U.S. potato board WCSH6

Potato farmer Tom Qualey of Sherman been elected chairman of the U.S. Potato Board. Qualey and his brother operate Three Oaks Farm.The Maine Potato Board says it has been more than 20 years since a Mainer held the chairman's seat.


Attorneys try out sit to stand desks Law.com
TK: Adjustable height desks so lawyers can sit or stand. Hey, I've been working standing up lately.. No more desk potatoes ...From the story:

In addition to motorized desks that adjust to accommodate sitting or standing, a small but growing number of attorneys are using treadmill desks. Those units essentially combine a standing desk with a slow-speed treadmill, which allows users to type, talk on the phone and engage in other work tasks all while slowly walking on the treadmill -- and burning calories.

The perils of irradiation Organic life
TK: A discussion group looks at research from the University of Wisconsin which details effect of irradiated food on cats


Pretty in purple The Philadelphia Inquirer
Purple is not simply a popular trend in fashion. This color of royalty, dubbed the "new black" by fashionistas, is also the new black in food. In produce aisles, at farmers markets and on restaurant menus, you can find a growing array of heirloom and specialty vegetables with a distinctive purple hue - purple potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, beans, corn, asparagus, peppers, baby artichokes and cauliflower. "I'm a huge fan of purple," said Chicago chef Rick Tramonto, who features purple potatoes and purple cauliflower on the menu at Tru restaurant. "I love the color and texture; there is more earth to it." Beyond the pleasing appearance on the plate, purple is a cue for nutritional power. The dark pigments responsible for the purplish tones are called anthocyanins, a type of phytonutrient, or plant compound, hailed for its potential disease-fighting benefits.

Excessive meat and dairy may hurt sperm quality Reuters
TK: Yet another plus for f/v
Men who eat lots of processed meat and full-fat dairy may have poorer quality sperm than those who eat more fruit, vegetables and low-fat diary, a small study suggests

Cancer risk increases for smokers who eat f/v Examiner

We've all heard it - eating fruits and vegetables may reduce your chance of cancer.It's still true. According to the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), people who eat 600 grams or more vegetables and fruit a day appear to have a 20 to 25 percent lower chance of developing colon cancer than people who eat 220 grams or less.However, there is one startling exception.f you smoke, it seems that consumption of fruit and vegetables actually increases your chance of colon cancer.