T said...

> In article >, aux3.DOH.4
> @snet.net says...
>>
>> Sqwertz wrote:
>> >
>> > Andy <q> wrote:
>> >
>> > > I'm having a hard time grasping the tonnage and cost of wasted
>> > > tomatoes from the farms to the markets and restaurants.
>> > >
>> > > It's devastating the tomato industry!
>> >
>> > They'll be made into a cooked tomato sauce.
>> >
>> > -sw
>>
>> Some will, but a huge number already in the distribution chain at
>> supermarkets and restaurants and their warehouses are simply going to
>> the landfill. Compost at best unfortunately.
>>
>
> Why not just irradiate them to kill off the pathogens?


Maybe going forward, but not on grand scale like this and then still be
able to redistribute fresh tomatoes. I don't know if there is a business
like that in existence. It would certainly burden all of farmers. And I'd
rather them clean up than be sloppy about growing and harvesting their
products using irradiation. I think a large part of the population is not
in favor of irradiated foods.

I've seen the produce stands and supermarkets mist veggies. Contamination
could happen at the consumer level, not at the farm level.

I know some cities or states are recycling waste water back into your
faucets. Maybe they didn't exactly get out all germs at a given treatment
plant. Then the hot houses mist their crop and who knows. Maybe your next
glass of lemonade...

The FDA/CDC better work quick.

Andy