University of Arizona

Imagine yourself going to the grocery store and scanning the barcode of a head of lettuce with your cell phone. Within moments, a screen pops up on your cell phone detailing where the head was grown, the harvest date, and a recipe to use. This form of technology is not too farfetched thanks to the work of Kurt Nolte, director and Extension agent with the UA Cooperative Extension Service in Yuma County, Arizona.

First, a quick note about the difference between “venomous” and “poisonous”. Venom is injected via a bite or sting. Poisons are ingested or absorbed. Therefore snakes, bees, scorpions, spiders, etc. are venomous, and toads, mushrooms, and household chemicals are poisonous. Remember, venom = active, poison = passive.