Dr. Vivian Chi Hua Wu
http://www.umit.maine.edu/~Vivian_Wu/
http://www.umext.maine.edu/

Cranberries May Provide Protection Against Food Poisoning

New Research Shows Cranberries May Be a Key Ingredient for Food Safety

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, MA (June 27, 2006) While summer is the ideal time to enjoy cookouts and backyard feasts, hot weather combined with eating outdoors can be a breeding ground for food related illness. Every year, an estimated 76 million cases of foodborne illness and 5,000 associated deaths occur in the United States. Traditionally, chemical additives have been used to preserve food, but more and more consumers are seeking natural alternatives. New research finds cranberries may offer a unique line of defense against food poisoning with their unique ability to reduce the growth of Salmonella and E. coli and other types of bacteria found in food. These findings suggest that cranberries may be a natural and delicious way to make that summer barbeque a safer one.

In this new study, presented last weekend at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting, researchers added cranberry concentrate to samples of raw ground beef tainted with several types of bacteria that frequently cause food related illness. After observing the ground beef over several days, scientists discovered that the cranberry concentrate significantly reduced the growth of Salmonella, E. coli and other dangerous bacteria in the beef.

Since cranberry PACs also function as antioxidants, they provide a dual anti-adhesion and antioxidant health benefit. With more PACs and antioxidants per gram than most fruit, cranberries ward off certain bacteria and bolster the bodys defenses against free radical damage that can contribute to many chronic diseases including heart disease.

Furthermore, research published in the Journal of Food Protection previously found that cranberry juice reduced E. coli, Salmonella and other bacteria in unpasteurized apple cider. Apple cider is particularly susceptible to E. coli and Salmonella contamination and cranberries provide a more natural way to reduce bacteria during the production process.

Incorporating cranberry into food preparation, one day, may be a natural way to minimize food contamination.

Enjoy the great tasting, health goodness of the cranberry when preparing for your summer gatherings. Whether making a succulent sauce for Spicy Cranberry Chicken Drummettes, a Quicky Cranberry Grilling Sauce, or Cranberry Honey Glaze, there are a variety of ways to add cranberries sweet, tangy taste to meats, seafood and poultry.

To find more cranberry recipes, visit www.oceanspray.com.

SPICY CRANBERRY CHICKEN DRUMMETTES

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce
2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
20 chicken drummettes, about 2 pounds

Directions:
Combine all ingredients, except drummettes, in large resealable plastic bag; mix well. Add drummettes. Seal; turn bag to coat chicken. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Pour chicken and marinade in ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

Bake 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink near bone, turning 2 or 3 times and brushing with marinade. Transfer chicken pieces to serving dish; discard any remaining marinade.

Makes 10 servings.

Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 650 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as more than 100 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed 75 years ago by three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America’s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling brand name in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2005 gross sales of about $1.4 billion.