[Sca-cooks] Sauerkraut Sales Linked to Bird Flu

[Johnna Holloway]

Remember our discussion about kraut and such--
Well the news about Sauerkraut and kimchee is out


Johnnae


http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=4075208
OHIO--
Spike in Sauerkraut Sales Linked to Bird Flu
Nov 4, 2005, 04:34 PM EST

FREMONT -- The Fremont Company produces 20,000 tons of sauerkraut each
year. Kraut has always been touted as a healthy food -- curing just
about any ailment including intestinal problems.

Recently, The Fremont Company saw sauerkraut sales spike by 850% in some
midwest stores. The reason may be found in a tank room where the
sauerkraut is fermented. During the process, lactic acid bacteria
develops. "The reports are that it's good for you and fights off any bad
bacteria that might be in your system," said Chris Smith.

The reports came out of Korea where sauerkraut is being used to treat
chickens infected with the Avian Flu. Scientists say the chickens were
cured because of the lactic acid. Residents then rushed to stores to
stock up sauerkraut -- assuming it would make them immune from the
killer flu.

"People are trying to be safe rather than sorry. Deep down inside they
know it's a healthy product and so they're stocking up on cans of
kraut," said Smith.

There's no proof sauerkraut cleanses your system, keeping you safe from
a pandemic. But if the Avian Flu ever reaches the United States -- folks
are obviously finding some comfort in kraut.

Another story--
http://kutv.com/watercooler/local_story_307171351.html

credits the cure to kimchee--
Researchers fed a type of sauerkraut called kimchi to sick birds and
most got better. People in Minneapolis seem to be eating up the discovery.
Kumok Hwang makes kimchi for a living. It's one of her specialties at a
Korean restaurant in Minneapolis' Dinkytown neighborhood.
"You can eat it fresh," Hwang said. "Some people like it fresh. Some
people like it sour."
Kimchi is made up of things like garlic, Chinese cabbage, carrots and
fish sauce. Korean researchers fed kimchi to 13 chickens infected with
avian flu, and within a week 11 of them started recovering.
The key may be a good type of bacteria, also found in sauerkraut.