<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hello list. For any of you who live in Israel or wish to visit, here is some news hot off the wire services: NEW COATINGS FOR PRODUCE A new type of cheap and edible coating for fruits and vegetables has been developed by a research team at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The commonly used material for this purpose is wax. The new family of coatings consists of edible gums and various hydrophobic ingredients common in the outer layers of specific fruits and vegetables. The researchers point out that their work has led to the firm conclusion that development of successful coatings requires careful study of each product that is to be protected, and that there can therefore be no single coating that suits all products or needs. Interest has already been expressed by local citrus and mushroon growers; similar inquiries from abroad are anticipated. Who knows what this coating will actually be made from. Israel has always prided itself on FRESH fruits and veggies all year round. Now this resorting to longer shelf-life, which is basically for financial profit. Still, it would be difficult to believe that the coating would contain wheat starch since that would make such produce, edible any day of the year, inedible during Passover. I will try to get details, especially for potential tourists who have intollerances besides gluten. Sharon Marcus Haifa