Disappearing Bees Threaten US Food Supply

This story has been reported off and on for about the last year. Beekeepers all over the country have found their beehives empty- and no one knows where the bees have gone. In my part of the country, beekeepers are reporting losses of more than 70%.
Now Haagen-Dazs is reporting that the missing bees could become a big problem for their business.

Haagen-Dazs, which is owned by Nestle, said bees are actually responsible for 40% of its 60 flavors - such as strawberry, toasted pecan and banana split. "These are among consumers' favorite flavors," said Katty Pien, brand director with Haagen-Dazs. "We use 100% all natural ingredients like strawberries, raspberries and almonds which we get from California. The bee problem could badly hurt supply from the Pacific Northwest," Pien said. Pien said Haagen-Dazs is hoping scientists get a breakthrough in this mystery soon. Otherwise, she said, the company may have to "re-examine the flavors that we currently offers our customers." Additionally, a supply shortage of key ingredients could push up retail prices for its products, she said.
Pien said the company is donating $250,000 to both Pennsylvania State University and the University of California, Davis to fund research into the bee colony collapse disorder (CCD).

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