Salad-making robot can kill germs - and kill jobs, too

New York

SALAD bars are magnets for bacteria and viruses. Even if the sprouts and ranch dressing aren't tainted, the serving utensils could be.

The Silicon Valley startup Chowbotics has devised what it says is a partial solution. Its device, which it calls Sally the Salad Robot, is aimed at reducing the risk of food-borne illness by assembling salads out of precut vegetables stored in refrigerated canisters.