7 January 2006

One of the most interesting news stories of the day was the Woolworths the “Fresh Food People” have been selling fruit that tests have revealed to be a number of months old, fruit that has been kept in cold storage containers in which the oxygen is turned off to ensure that the fruit stays as free as possible from rotting.

Nice one Woollies!

In the last few days I have to admit to being a little concerned when I have been taking some fruit purchased by my partner and taking off the skin and grating it into the base for a “Bircher Muesli” only to discover that the core of the fruit was brown and rotting and that the pulp started to turn brown almost as soon as the apples were peeled.

When the news item came on to the air waves and I saw the tests I have to admit being shocked.

What was even more damning was the claim by a representative of the chain that all of this was designed to:

• minimise the need to get overseas produce and


• to ensure that customer requirements to obtain fresh fruit and vegetables even out of season could be met

Whatever happened to the global economy? In Europe when it is winter and it is impossible to obtain fresh produce that is normally only grown in the spring, summer or autumn seasons, the companies import from areas overseas where the seasons are reversed. What is stopping Australia from doing the same things? Are we not able to increase our exports overseas to meet the demand of those countries that are experiencing winter with our fresh foods and then expect that they will meet our requirements when it is our winter?

A form of quid pro quo would seem to be indicated.