Is our food getting shittier, literally? Join Julia and Nick as they conduct an investigation into the complicated and deeply gross history of food safety. From murderous milk and The Jungle to RFK Jr. and diarrhea lettuce, they unpack the creation of our modern food system, America's addiction to ignoring science, and how one contaminated farm can suddenly become everybody's problem. Digressions include Johnny Crunkleseed, the FDA's young hoe era, and Insect Fragments George. This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Kylie Finnigan and edited by Livi Burdette. To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today. 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Coli and Salmonella Risk | FDA Exemptions Relevant to Produce Farms under the Produce Safety Rule and Food Traceability Rule Fact Sheet #12: Agricultural Employers Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) FDA and USDA staff cuts under Trump raise food safety risks FDA begins inspection of Taylor Farms lettuce operation in Mexico FDA chasing after voluntary recalls, but doesn't often take mandatory route FDA closes probe into lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, detects Cyclospora in Mexico FDA food inspector vacancies near 20% after Trump hiring freeze FDA found cyclospora at Taylor Farms Mexico site and where lettuce was grown FDA nominee says vaccines are safe despite Trump efforts to overhaul childhood shots FDA will reduce food and drug inspections due to federal layoffs Federal food safety oversight still lacks cohesive plan: GAO Findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) 2021–2022: A Demographic and Employment Profile of United States Crop Workers Food Defect Levels Handbook Food for Thought 2026 FOOD SAFETY AND FARMER'S MARKETS Food safety becomes an election issue as major outbreaks and recalls cause concern Food safety in the 21st century Food Safety Was Slipping in the U.S. Then Came Mass Layoffs Food Safety: FDA Should Strengthen Inspection Efforts to Protect the U.S. Food Supply (GAO-25-107571) Food Safety: Status of Foodborne Illness in the U.S. (GAO-25-107606) Foodborne Diseases: Overview of Biological Hazards and Foodborne Diseases FoodNet Timeline From guacamole to jalapeños, here's how 2026 food illness outbreaks compare to other years FSMA Final Rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods Fundamental Food Microbiology GAO to FDA: Inspect more domestic, foreign food facilities to ensure safe food supply General Overview of the Causative Agents of Foodborne Illness Heat Stress Is Killing Workers. 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Funding Cuts, Food Safety Surveillance, and Federalism What You Need to Know about Foodborne Illnesses
