In this bonus episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, Francine and Matt are joined by a very special guest, Bill Marler, a leading expert in food safety. Together, they dive into the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak, shedding light on how things went so wrong and why it’s crucial for food companies to take responsibility when outbreaks like this occur.

You’ll hear about Boar’s Head’s food safety failures, the rise in Listeria cases across the U.S., and why transparency and accountability are the only way forward for companies involved in outbreaks.

Bill shares powerful insights from his decades of experience in food safety law, including how government agencies and corporations can prevent future tragedies.

In this episode:

💩 [01:25] Bill Marler shares his background and work in food safety law
💩 [05:20] Breaking down the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak: What happened? Why is it deadly?
💩 [12:34] Francine’s take as a former inspector: How did this plant stay open?
💩 [18:44] Matt discusses the disconnect between corporate HQ and the facility level
💩 [27:00] The role of transparency in food safety and crisis management
💩 [39:15] Legal implications: What companies need to know in the wake of an outbreak
💩 [50:18] What consumers can do to prioritize food safety in government policy

Disclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.

Resources from this episode

Food Safety News: What you need to know about the Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak

Food Safety News: House and Senate should act now on Boar’s Head plant

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“What does a company do if something like this happens? First, understand the science. If they tell you it’s your product, it’s your fault. Own it and take action.” – Bill Marler

“This isn’t just about Boar’s Head. It’s about transparency and how companies handle their mistakes. The whole industry is watching.” – Francine L. Shaw

“I’m never surprised anymore about what happens in the food industry. But it’s shocking to see these kinds of inspection reports get ignored.” – Matthew Regusci

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Together, we can raise awareness and make a positive impact in the world of food safety!

We'd love to hear from you!

Connect with Bill Marler, Francine, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!

Share your thoughts and feedback on the show and feel free to offer any topics you would like to hear discussed.

Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen? on Amazon!

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Produced by Ideablossoms

In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are joined by Carly Bader, Manager of Science at Willow Industries, a cannabis decontamination technology company.

Just like foods and beverages, cannabis can also be contaminated with microbial diseases such as salmonella and E. coli. In this episode, you’ll learn more about that as well as some ways used to make cannabis safe for all consumers.

Also, tune in to hear about Carly’s exciting first experience at the Food Safety Consortium.

In this episode:

💩 [00:49] Meet Carly and Willow Industries

💩 [01:36] Cannabis contamination explained

💩 [02:50] Using food safety expertise in the cannabis industry

💩 [03:41] Ozone vs. irradiation in cannabis decontamination

💩 [05:13] The food safety side of the cannabis industry

💩 [06:17] Carly’s experience with the Food Safety Consortium

💩 [09:27] Trust in the cannabis industry

Disclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.

Resources from this episode
Register for the Food Safety Consortium 2024 here.

Willow Industries website willowindustries.com.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“We're not the redheaded stepchild, we are just scientists, just like anyone else. And I often have said, you know, if it was Tortillas or bread or meat on my side of the industry… It's just the same. If it's a leafy green or a green bud of weed, I feel like we all have here a collective trust in consumer safety and a trust in science.” – Carly Bader

We hope you enjoy this episode!
Remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Together, we can raise awareness and make a positive impact in the world of food safety!

We'd love to hear from you!

Connect with Carly, Francine, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!

Share your thoughts and feedback on the show and feel free to offer any topics you would like to hear discussed.

Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen? on Amazon!

_______

Produced by Ideablossoms

After the Quaker Oats food recall case study was featured in the last episode, food safety industry veterans Francine L. Shaw and Matt Ragucci decided to bring back this important episode that was aired shortly after that recall happened.

In this conversation, Matt and Francine spotlight an important discussion on developing standard food safety procedures in homes and the role of consumers in demanding safer food through better food safety regulations.

Towards the end, there is a humorous discussion about a 'chef' who prepares meals in very unconventional settings. The episode concludes with their signature sign-off, 'Don't eat poop!' (especially from airplane bathrooms!).

In this episode:

💩 [05:34] Dealing with another salmonella outbreak

💩 [14:40] The basic steps of a food recall

💩 [16:42] Do you know how to get rid of salmonella in poultry?

💩 [17:58] Understanding the risks of raw cookie dough

💩 [20:59] The dangers of raw ingredients: eggs and flour

💩 [26:27] The hotel room cook strikes again (in an airplane bathroom!)

Resources from this episode

Quaker Oats Recall

Quaker Oats Salmonella Food Recall Case Study | Episode 77

Creating a Recall-Ready Food Safety Industry | Episode 42

Mile High Bathroom Garlic Shrimp & Mash

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“Our government has created an atmosphere of [...] rolling the dice every time we eat products. They’re literally okay with salmonella being in chicken and eggs. The expectation is that "housewives should know what to do with their chicken.” – Matthew Regusci

“I truly don't think anything will happen until consumers demand a change.” – Francine L Shaw

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Together, we can raise awareness and make a positive impact in the world of food safety!

We'd love to hear from you!

Connect with Francine, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!

Share your thoughts and feedback on the show and feel free to offer any topics you would like to hear discussed.

Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen? on Amazon!

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Produced by Ideablossoms