| question? comment? email us! |
In a Tare?
I love cooking with fresh herbs and spices, but find when I buy a lot of them, they tend to go bad. Therefore, I appreciate being able to buy just what I need from the bins of herbs in the Co-op's produce section. But is there any way you could supply some smaller (lighter) bags for this purpose? When I only get a few sprigs of oregano, I feel like I'm paying mainly for the bag.
C. M. via e-mailREPLY: The good news is that you only are paying for the herbs. Our cashiers take a tare for the bag so you are not charged for it. A tare means that the scale is given a negative weight which is equal to the weight of the bag; hence you are not charged for bag. I also am looking into some smaller plastic bags to be used for items like herbs.
We do have a selection of paper bags in the departments also that you could use.
Aseptic Makes Me Dyspeptic
I've started drinking soy milk recently, but I'm disturbed by the packaging. Are there any alternatives to the aseptic boxes? It seems like those boxes use valuable resources (I'm thinking of the aluminum in the laminate), and they're non-recyclable.Also, is there any way to get rid of those wretched labels on individual pieces of organic fruit? I really dislike those.
Otherwise I'm perfectly content. Thanks!
S. B. via e-mailREPLY: The Co-op carries two brands of soy milk that are in milk carton-type containers: Silk and Sun Soy. They are located in the coolers in the Dairy aisle.
You are right that the aseptic boxes consume resources and are not accepted at area recycling centers. However, one of our suppliers is currently able to recycle them, and the Co-op has been taking them back for years. Receptacles for recycling the containers are at the exit/entrance doors in both Hanover and Lebanon.
Regarding the stickers, I wish we could help you out, but they are part of a national identification program and come to us that way.
Frozen Food Facts
How long will food stay frozen after it’s taken out of the freezer? Do I need to be concerned about creases in boxes of frozen foods?
J.L., Etna, NHREPLY: Except in extreme summer heat, frozen food will remain frozen for at least an hour during your trip home. You can increase that time by requesting a freezer bag at the checkout. In summer, consider using an insulated cooler to transport all perishables, including meat, seafood, prepared foods, dairy products, and other refrigerated items. For long trips, add a bag of ice or a frozen icepack. Our cashiers will be happy to package all of your perishables together to facilitate putting them into coolers.
If a frozen food package is only creased, it’s not something to be concerned about. But if the packaging is damaged to the extent that the product is exposed to air, please bring it to the attention of a Co-op employee and purchase a different one.
Organic Under Attack
The Junkscience.com web site is encouraging visitors to write to the USDA denouncing organics as merely a marketing tool. A recent editorial in The Union Leader scoffs at organic produce, arguing that foodborne illness is the main health concern, rather than the use of synthetic pesticides. Are these valid claims?
EF, S. Royalton, VTREPLY: Organic foods have come under increasing criticism as they become more popular in the American diet.
It is simplistic to dismiss organics as a marketing tool. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that seeks to increase the health and balance of the farm ecosystem. It meets these goals by 1) increasing soil fertility and 2) applying biodegradable pesticides only as needed. While there is no scientific research that compares the health benefits of eating organic versus conventionally-raised food, many consumers value the option of buying food that has been raised without the use of petroleum-based chemicals.
Foodborne illness is not more prevalent in organically raised crops. This misconception comes from the assumption that organic agriculture uses fresh manure while conventional uses only chemical fertilizers. The actuality is that farmers who use manure, whether they follow organic or conventional growing methods, use aged (composted) manure which has reached internal temperatures sufficient to kill any pathogenic organisms. The use of fresh manure would be anti-productive, as it would burn the crops.
Foodborne illness is more likely to be the result of improper handling of food after it has been harvested: either in the field, during packing and shipping, in the store, or by the consumer. The use (or absence) of pesticides in food production does nothing to protect food from contamination after it leaves the farm. All produce, regardless of its source, should be carefully washed before being consumed and should be kept separate from sources of cross-contamination, such as raw meats and seafood.
GMO Labeling
I wrote a letter to the FDA during their public comment period on the topic of labeling genetically engineered foods. Has the FDA responded yet?
K.T., Barnard, VTREPLY: Despite strong public opinion in favor of mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food, Food and Drug Commissioner Jane E. Henney continues to hold the position that "all bioengineered foods sold in the United States today are as safe as their non-bioengineered counterparts." As a result, the FDA does not find it necessary to require explicit labeling of genetically engineered food.
The agency’s policy, released in early May, features
Voluntary (not mandatory) labeling; Disclosure of research data by biotech corporations on the internet; and Increased consultation with bioengineered food producers before their products come onto the market. Concerned consumers may want to continue to voice their opinion to the FDA and to their elected officials in Washington. Bills calling for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods have been introduced to both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. More information on a grassroots campaign to pass these bills is available on the Internet at www.thecampaign.org.
|
Updated weekly: |