U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack listens to a question during a press briefing about the drought in the midwest at the White House in Washington July 18, 2012. Broiling heat has blanketed much of the U.S. Midwest this week, exacerbating the region's worst drought in more than 50 years and devastating corn, soy and other vital crops. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks about the drought during a press briefing at the White House in Washington July 18, 2012. Broiling heat has blanketed much of the U.S. Midwest this week, exacerbating the region's worst drought in more than 50 years and devastating corn, soy and other vital crops.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENVIRONMENT DISASTER AGRICULTURE) 

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney (R) introduces Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to speak during a briefing at the White House in Washington July 18, 2012. Broiling heat has blanketed much of the U.S. Midwest this week, exacerbating the region's worst drought in more than 50 years and devastating corn, soy and other vital crops.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: AGRICULTURE DISASTER POLITICS ENVIRONMENT) 

Japanese eels are cooled in a sink before being cooked at an eel restaurant 'Yaotoku' in Tokyo July 26, 2007. Many Japanese eat vitamin-rich eel in summer to bolster their stamina after days of heat-enervated appetites, especially so on Eel Day -- formally known as "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" -- on July 30, a date determined by the ancient solar calendar and believed to be the hottest of the year. Eel aficionados -- who devour broiled eels in a bid to beat the heat -- are opting for pricey domestic eels over cheap Chinese imports amid food safety fears. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

A Japanese eel is seen inside a plastic bag before being cooked at an eel restaurant 'Yaotoku' in Tokyo July 26, 2007. Many Japanese eat vitamin-rich eel in summer to bolster their stamina after days of heat-enervated appetites, especially so on Eel Day -- formally known as "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" -- on July 30, a date determined by the ancient solar calendar and believed to be the hottest of the year. Eel aficionados -- who devour broiled eels in a bid to beat the heat -- are opting for pricey domestic eels over cheap Chinese imports amid food safety fears. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Tomoko Ohara eats cooked Japanese eel on a rice at an eel restaurant 'Yaotoku' in Tokyo July 26, 2007. Many Japanese eat vitamin-rich eel in summer to bolster their stamina after days of heat-enervated appetites, especially so on Eel Day -- formally known as "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" -- on July 30, a date determined by the ancient solar calendar and believed to be the hottest of the year. Eel aficionados -- who devour broiled eels in a bid to beat the heat -- are opting for pricey domestic eels over cheap Chinese imports amid food safety fears. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Japanese eels are cooked over charcoal at an eel restaurant 'Yaotoku' in Tokyo July 26, 2007. Many Japanese eat vitamin-rich eel in summer to bolster their stamina after days of heat-enervated appetites, especially so on Eel Day -- formally known as "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" -- on July 30, a date determined by the ancient solar calendar and believed to be the hottest of the year. Eel aficionados -- who devour broiled eels in a bid to beat the heat -- are opting for pricey domestic eels over cheap Chinese imports amid food safety fears. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Japanese eels are cooled in a sink before being cooked at an eel restaurant 'Yaotoku' in Tokyo July 26, 2007. Many Japanese eat vitamin-rich eel in summer to bolster their stamina after days of heat-enervated appetites, especially so on Eel Day -- formally known as "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" -- on July 30, a date determined by the ancient solar calendar and believed to be the hottest of the year. Eel aficionados -- who devour broiled eels in a bid to beat the heat -- are opting for pricey domestic eels over cheap Chinese imports amid food safety fears. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

Japanese eels are shown by a cook for a photo at an eel restaurant 'Yaotoku' in Tokyo July 26, 2007. Many Japanese eat vitamin-rich eel in summer to bolster their stamina after days of heat-enervated appetites, especially so on Eel Day -- formally known as "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" -- on July 30, a date determined by the ancient solar calendar and believed to be the hottest of the year. Eel aficionados -- who devour broiled eels in a bid to beat the heat -- are opting for pricey domestic eels over cheap Chinese imports amid food safety fears. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

'Pfaelzer Saumagen', a regional Palatinate delicacy, made of meat, potatoes, spices and other ingredients stuffed into a pig's stomach, is broiled in hot water during an international competition in the southwern German town of Landau November 8, 2006. The competition for the best 'Pfaelzer Saumagen' sausage, which was famously presented by former German chancellor Helmut Kohl to international dignitaries visiting the region, is judged on taste, smell and presentation when sliced in half and is held bi-annually. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Slippery eels are shown at an eel dish restaurant in Tokyo July 27, 2005 ahead of "Eel Day" on Thursday. Eating broiled eels on Eel Day is a Japanese tradition to help restore one's vitality and endure the heat during the hot summer days. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao YN/JJ 

A Japanese cook shows slippery eels before preparing to cook them in Tokyo July 27, 2005 ahead of "Eel Day" on Thursday. Eating broiled eels on Eel Day is a Japanese tradition to help restore one's vitality and endure the heat during the hot summer days. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao YN/JJ 

A Haitian woman broils a vegetable stew in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti, February 22, 2004. Delegates from the United States, Canada, France, the Americas and the Caribbean presented a peace plan to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his political opponents to end political tensions that erupted over two weeks ago in an armed revolt in which more than 50 people have died. Aristide agreed to the proposal, but the opposition was reluctant to sign up because it did not involve the president stepping down. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar DA 

Yohsuke Kuzuoka, owner of a Japanese eel restaurant shows live eels before preparing them for cooking in Tokyo's business district July 25, 2001. Japan, gripped by an usually long heat wave that has sent temperatures soaring each day this month, on Wednesday looked to eels for relief. Eating broiled eel in the summer has long been seen by Japanese as an effective way to beat the heat. 

Yohsuke Kuzuoka, owner of a Japanese eel restraurant shows live eels
before preparing them for cooking in Tokyo's business district July 25,
2001. Japan, gripped by an usually long heat wave that has sent
temperatures soaring each day this month, on Wednesday looked to eels
for relief. Eating broiled eel in the summer has long been seen by
Japanese as an effective way to beat the heat.

TA/PB 

Live eels wiggle as Shoichiro Kubota, head of a 100-year-old eel restaurant and wholesaler head, and his wife Moriko check them out in their downtown Tokyo shop July 21, traditionally the busiest time of the year for the eel cuisine business ahead of "Eel Day" on July 24. The nutritious broiled eel is a Japanese delicacy eaten on the hottest days of summer by the traditional Japanese calendar, long considered an effective way to combat the heat. ??» 

Live eels wiggle as Shoichiro Kubota, head of a 100-year-old eel restaurant and wholesaler head, and his wife Moriko check them out in their downtown Tokyo shop July 21, traditionally the busiest time of the year for the eel cuisine business ahead of "Eel Day" on July 24. The nutritious broiled eel is a Japanese delicacy eaten on the hottest days of summer by the traditional Japanese calendar, long considered an effective way to combat the heat. PP04010093
ES/TAN 

Live eels glide around in a container as a cook checks them at his restaurant in preparation for Japan's traditional "Eel Day" July 29. Broiled eels, rich in nutrition, are eaten on the day to help cope with the summer heat. 

Live eels glide around in a container as a cook checks them at his restaurant in preparation for Japan's traditional "Eel Day" July 29. Broiled eels, rich in nutrition, are eaten on the day to help cope with the summer heat.

ST/TAN 

A McDonald's "Big Mac" hamburger after it was broiled January 20 shows distinctive stripes from the special broiler introduced by McDonalds in Israel in order to better serve its clients Kosher meat. A McDonalds hamburger in all its worldwide restaurants is cooked on flat griddles rather than broiled over a flame. In an apparent bow to public tastes McDonalds in Israel is junking its flat griddles and starting to broil its hamburgers over a flame. McDonalds managing director in Israel, Omri Padan, called the move "A world first", but added that other McDonalds outside Israel would not be adopting the new cooking method. 

A McDonalds' "Big Mac" hamburger after it was broiled January 20 shows distinctive stripes from the special broiler introduced by McDonalds in Israel in order to better serve its clients Kosher meat. A McDonalds hamburger in all its worldwide restaurants is cooked on flat griddles rather than broiled over a flame. In an apparent bow to public tastes McDonalds in Israel is junking its flat griddles and starting to broil its hamburgers over a flame. McDonalds managing director in Israel, Omri Padan, called the move "A world first", but added that other McDonalds outside Israel would not be adopting the new cooking method.

ISRAEL MCDONALDS 

Live eels slither in a containter as a Tokyo eel restaurant cook checks them outside his shop July 22, in preparation for Japan's traditional "Eel Day". Broiled eels, rich in nutrition, are traditionally eaten on this day to help cope with the summer heat. 

Live eels slither in a containter as a Tokyo eel restaurant cook checks them outside his shop July 22, in preparation for Japan's traditional "Eel Day". Broiled eels, rich in nutrition, are traditionally eaten on this day to help cope with the summer heat.

JAPAN EELS 

Fresh eels are broiled over charcoal at a Tokyo eel specialty restaurant on Japan's traditional "Eel Day", July 22. Broiled eels, rich in nutrition, are traditionally eaten on this day to help cope with the summer heat. 

Fresh eels are broiled over charcoal at a Tokyo eel specialty restaurant on Japan's traditional "Eel Day", July 22. Broiled eels, rich in nutrition, are traditionally eaten on this day to help cope with the summer heat.

JAPAN EELS 

Japanese kids shriek in joy as they dip into a cold fountain at Asukayama park in Tokyo to escape from a heat wave July 5. The early summer heat wave continues to broil Tokyo and surrounding areas today, with the mercury climbing to 40.2 C in Koshigaya, some 20 km north of Tokyo, the Meteorological Agency said.

JAPAN HEAT