Veggies grown in space said safe to eat

Russian scientists say vegetables grown on board the International Space Station can be consumed without fear of food poisoning or other adverse effects. Researchers have been studying "orbital-grown" vegetables such as Japanese cabbage for several years. "The samples of cabbage have been brought to Earth," a researcher at the Moscow-based Institute of Medical and Biological Problems told RIA Novosti Wednesday. "We have not detected any deviations in their biomass composition compared with cabbage grown on Earth." "From a microbiological perspective, these samples were absolutely safe to consume," the researcher said. Because fruits and vegetables cannot be washed with water on board a spacecraft, the researchers said, microbiological safety is a significant factor in determining space travelers' diets. The results of the orbital growing experiments could help in compiling a list of plants suitable for cultivating during prolonged space missions including manned flights to Mars and beyond, they said.