Thursday, June 05, 2003

See Weed?

According to this article from newindpress.com, concern is growing about PepsiCo's newest pet project in India: farming the red marine algae Eucheuma alvarezii (Kappaphycus alvarezii). The algae, which is being grown off the coast of the Palk Straits, is harvested to extract carrageenan, a common food additive. Scientists and government officials, many wary after years of dealing with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) management, are divided about the potential negative impacts of the seaweed farming, with many pointing to evidence that the species has not spread from farms in Hawaii or the Phillippines. An alternative view can be found here and here.

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