Farm to Fatal: Food for Thought

UCLA Undergraduates in the Human Biology and Society Major, 2025
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Is our food safe?  Would you know if it is? Follow UCLA undergrads as they explore a dozen foodborne outbreaks and their consequences.In Farm to Fatal, twelve different outbreaks illuminate the biology of foodborne illness, the complexity of modern food safety regulation, and the details of how we make food safe... or fail to. In Winter 2025, UCLA undergrads in the Human Biology and Society major set out to explore the intricacies of food safety in the US. Each group explored an outbreak over the last 30 years, diving into the details of the bacteriology, the illness and the treatments on the one hand, and the insanely complex system of governance, audit, oversight, lawsuits and regulations.   Dive into every corner of the food safety world, from e. Coli to Hepatitis A, from South Africa to Arizona, from the challenge of regulating raw milk to the difficulties of cleaning tanker trucks, from the "sewer state" to problem of "organized non-knowledge".  Across the episodes students find a new respect for the challenge of governing food, the problems with the existing system, and also the need to defend it.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Introduction: Farm to Fatal. Food for Thought

    A short introduction to the podcast series, by Christopher Kelty of the Institute for Society and Genetics at UCLA.  Music in this intro by Ween.  These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    2 min
  2. Salsification! The 2003 Hepatitis A Outbreak

    EPISODE 2

    Salsification! The 2003 Hepatitis A Outbreak

    A beloved family-friendly restaurant turns out to be not-so-friendly after all — it was supposed to be a dinner, not a funeral.   4 Deaths. over 650 incidents of illness. Official cause still unknown. In the fall of 2003, the United States saw the worst Hepatitis A outbreak it had ever seen, spreading across 7 states.  Where did it all originate? From a quaint Mexican restaurant just 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Chi-Chi’s was founded in Minnesota during the 1970s in an attempt to bring Mexican food to an area where it was a scarcity. Business boomed, profits rose, and Chi-Chi’s became a popular chain restaurant in the midwest, boasting locations in 19 states. Misfortune fell in 2003 when a shipment of Hepatitis A contaminated green onions was brought in to the Chi-Chi’s in Beaver valley Mall, Pennsylvania.  What happened next was a series of unfortunate events, ultimately leading Chi-Chi’s to close its doors permanently.  unless... it wasn’t permanent? Produced by Evangeline Bodhuri, Delna Cherian, and Sharon Iype These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    31 min
  3. E.Coli: The Mystery Romaines

    EPISODE 3

    E.Coli: The Mystery Romaines

    Remember when you had really nasty food poisoning at the same time grocery stores were issuing recalls and restaurants were taking items off their menus? Ever wonder why outbreaks of Salmonella. E. coli. or Listeria make headlines at least once a year? Well, let’s uncover the secret together in E. coli: The Mystery Romaines. Foodborne illnesses break out across the world all the time. Does it have to do with unsafe growing? Transportation problems? Unsanitary grocery store habits? What if we were to tell you that it is not that simple. Rather, there is an innate system that is inevitable and ensures that the current rate of foodborne illness outbreaks is unlikely to change. What is this mysterious system? Institutionalized non- knowledge.  Listen in as we explore the outbreak of E. coli in Romaine Lettuce between the years of 2018 and 2020 and delve deeper into how a string of events spanning three years reveal how the systems in control of dealing with outbreaks seem powerless in the face of these pathogens. We will learn what E. coli is, what happened during these outbreaks, how institutionalized non- knowledge complicates these events, and how real change can be made in the future. Come along on this journey as we explore the eternal, systemic mystery of foodborne pathogens. Produced by Ayaan Ekram, Shyla Maharaj and Iris Qi These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    34 min
  4. Ready-To-Eat: Justice beyond the numbers in the 2017 Listeria outbreak

    EPISODE 4

    Ready-To-Eat: Justice beyond the numbers in the 2017 Listeria outbreak

    The 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa was the largest and deadliest listeria outbreak on record with over 1,000 reported cases of listeriosis and over 200 deaths. The Department of Health traced the source of the outbreak to a contaminated sausage known as Polony, which had been produced by a local facility. The outbreak affected hundreds of individuals and families and highlighted the severe shortcomings of South Africa's fractured food safety system. Our podcast delves deeply into the human stories beyond the stark statistics that tend to dominate the narrative of the listeriosis outbreak. We comprehensively explore the biological, social, political, and legal dimensions of this outbreak, while intertwining personal accounts from victims and their families. We examine the unique biological traits of Listeria that make it a particularly elusive pathogen and discuss how the unique demographic characteristics of South Africa's population increase susceptibility to such infections. Additionally, we consider how historical structures, such as the enduring legacy of Apartheid and racial and socioeconomic disparities, compounded these vulnerabilities, contributing to the scale of this public health crisis.  Advances in Whole Genome Sequencing played a crucial role in tracing the source of the outbreak, underscoring the importance of scientific progress in managing health emergencies. Our aim is to shed light on the complexity of the outbreak through the stories of those impacted to underscore the insufficient justice provided to the victims, highlighting the need for systemic change. Produced by Valentina Angel, Eleanor Casey, and Teela Hamner These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    38 min
  5. The Sleepover Symposium: the 2013 STEC outbreak

    EPISODE 5

    The Sleepover Symposium: the 2013 STEC outbreak

    In this sleepover-style podcast, two girls explore the 2011 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreak in Germany and France. They dive into the mystery of the contamination’s source. Was it Egyptian seeds, German sprouting, or irrigation water? They also explore the biology behind this unique strain and its link to HUS. In this podcast series, two girls discuss complex biological and medical topics that affect society in a fun, “girly” sleepover setting. This episode focuses on the 2011 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak that affected Germany, France, America, and other parts of Europe. The conversation delves into the mystery of the contamination’s source, as there are still questions around whether it was contaminated Egyptian seeds, the sprouting process in Germany, or irrigation water that carried the bacteria. The uncertainty of the exact source remains one of the most intriguing aspects of this outbreak. This episode then shifts to the biology behind the outbreak, explaining the unique characteristics of the hyper- virulent STEC strain. The hosts break down how these virulence factors led to the highest number of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) cases recorded in an E. coli outbreak. They also discuss potential treatments for HUS and patients' experiences with HUS. The hosts make these complex biological issues approachable for all listeners, ensuring a fun yet informative experience. This podcast is both enjoyable and educational for anyone interested in the intersection of science, society, and health. Produced by Sara Ghanbari and Darla Gall These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    36 min
  6. The Nut Job: the 2008-9 Salmonella outbreak

    EPISODE 6

    The Nut Job: the 2008-9 Salmonella outbreak

    In this podcast, we explore the 2008-2009 salmonella outbreak, which killed nine people and sickened over 700. We explore corporate negligence, weak government oversight, and scientific limitations that contributed to the tragedy, ultimately leading to legislative and federal reforms…yet who is the true culprit of them all? The 2008-2009 salmonella outbreak linked to Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) killed nine people, including veteran Clifford Tousignant, and infected over 700 others. PCA executives knowingly shipped contaminated peanut products, prioritizing profits over safety. The case revealed systemic failures: inadequate facility inspections, corrupted private auditing, delayed outbreak detection, and weak scientific standards. PCA's president Stewart Parnell received an unprecedented 28-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy, though not for the deaths themselves. This tragedy prompted the Obama administration to enact the Food Safety Modernization Act, shifting from reactive to preventive food safety approaches, though implementation challenges remain. The outbreak's legacy includes both legal precedent and reformed safety standards. Produced by Cassidy Chiong, Selene Lam and Sophia Soriano These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    32 min
  7. Spilling the Milk: The 2014 Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak

    EPISODE 7

    Spilling the Milk: The 2014 Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak

    A hidden danger in a simple glass—what really happened in the 2014 Utah raw milk Campylobacter outbreak? Beneath the surface lies a deeper battle over food safety, government control, and mistrust. Why do some risk it for raw milk? And what does it reveal about the Debate over what we eat? In this episode, “Spilling the Milk, ” Anne Vu and Kayla Nguyen dive deep into the 2014 Utah Campylobacter outbreak, a public health crisis linked to raw milk. What began as a local food-borne illness swiftly became a place for larger political and cultural debates, shining a light on the complex intersection of public health, consumer choice, and ideological beliefs.  They explore how the outbreak not only affected the lives of those who fell ill but also how the gaps in the current food safety system allowed for this outbreak to slip past. Through conversations with experts and activists, the layers of this crisis are unraveled. From shortcomings in the food safety system to the push for raw milk consumption, these topics reveal the broader issues of trying to balance public safety and personal freedoms.  This episode sheds light on the unexpected ways that public health issues can become deeply embedded in the political narrative, offering insight into how a single outbreak can shift the discussions around food safety, politics, and identity in modern America. Listen for a thought-provoking journey into the intersection of health, politics, and cultural identity. Produced by Anne Vu and Kayla Nguyen These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    30 min
  8. Hitchin' a Ride: the 1994 Schwan's Salmonella Outbreak

    EPISODE 8

    Hitchin' a Ride: the 1994 Schwan's Salmonella Outbreak

    Life is seemingly perfect in the quiet town of Marshall Minnesota, with its gentle rolling hills and kind, hard-working people.  Unassuming. Certainly not the place for national news ...  Yet it serves as the setting for one of the biggest salmonella outbreaks in the US Not from chicken or maybe even eggs, rather, America's favorite dessert: Ice Cream. Our episode follows the story of Schwan's Ice Cream, which was known for its excellence in quality and trust amongst its customers. This 1994 outbreak of Salmonella shook that trust that had been built over the prior decades, demonstrating the necessary actions that liable parties must take in re-establishing that trust. This was also a landmark case in laying the foundation of real governmental regulation over meat, poultry, and dairy products.  With the outbreak being caused by fully preventable actions, this is a story of trying to — if we've established thisnow over 3 decades ago, why are food-born illnesses still prevalent today? It is both our hope and our goal to establish the reasoning for that throughout the episode. We hope you enjoy it! Produced by Syndey Hahn, Joseph Lee and Fernanda Madraza These podcast episodes were created by members of the 2025 Winter Capstone course in the Human Biology and Society major at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics (https://socgen.ucla.edu/). The faculty sponsor is Christopher Kelty. For questions or concerns email ckelty@ucla.edu.

    40 min
See All Season 1 (13)

About

Is our food safe?  Would you know if it is? Follow UCLA undergrads as they explore a dozen foodborne outbreaks and their consequences.In Farm to Fatal, twelve different outbreaks illuminate the biology of foodborne illness, the complexity of modern food safety regulation, and the details of how we make food safe... or fail to. In Winter 2025, UCLA undergrads in the Human Biology and Society major set out to explore the intricacies of food safety in the US. Each group explored an outbreak over the last 30 years, diving into the details of the bacteriology, the illness and the treatments on the one hand, and the insanely complex system of governance, audit, oversight, lawsuits and regulations.   Dive into every corner of the food safety world, from e. Coli to Hepatitis A, from South Africa to Arizona, from the challenge of regulating raw milk to the difficulties of cleaning tanker trucks, from the "sewer state" to problem of "organized non-knowledge".  Across the episodes students find a new respect for the challenge of governing food, the problems with the existing system, and also the need to defend it.

Information

  • Creator
    UCLA Undergraduates in the Human Biology and Society Major, 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 the Authors of each episode
  • Show Website
    Farm to Fatal: Food for Thought