✨ Consistency is key in food safety, and DeVere Chemical helps you deliver it every time. From front-of-house cleaning to back-of-house floor and dish care, their simple, proven solutions keep operations running smoothly. 

Learn more about how DeVere makes food safety easier: https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/] 


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are joined by Alex O'Brien, the Dairy Safety & Quality Coordinator at the Center for Dairy Research, also known as the Wisconsin cheese food safety guy.



Milk safety has been a recurring topic on the podcast, especially given the growing demand for raw milk, but this is the first time the focus has been on cheese itself.



So, tune in to discover how to make cheese safe. You'll learn how the cheese-making process affects its safety, important lessons about environmental monitoring, and how to make raw milk and cheese a little safer.



In this episode:



💩 [01:27] Alex O'Brien's many hats as the Wisconsin cheese food safety guy

💩 [04:46] The factors that make cheese safe, even unrefrigerated

💩 [10:06] How to get high-quality milk even through a crappy milking process

💩 [13:27] What's behind cheese outbreaks post-pasteurization

💩 [16:52] It doesn't take much unpasteurized cheese to make you sick

💩 [18:53] How to ensure cheese plants are safe and some cautionary tales

💩 [25:40] The four different types of food safety people

💩 [28:45] The difference between cleaning and sanitizing

💩 [30:14] When food safety people have a foodborne illness

💩 [32:58] Thermal pasteurization versus UV pasteurization and raw milk

💩 [37:59] How to make raw milk and cheese a little safer and save lives

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



Resources from this episode

Catch up with the episode where we talked to Bob Comstock about his UV-based pasteurization process, Episode 131 | How a Little Sunlight in Your Milk is Going to Profoundly Change the Dairy Industry [https://savvyfs.com/how-a-little-sunlight-in-your-milk-is-going-to-profoundly-change-the-dairy-industry-with-bob-comstock-ceo-of-tamarack-biotics-episode-131/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ If you're finding [Listeria] in your environment more than 10% of the time, you have a problem, right? So, I like to emphasize that you want to find it, but if it's so prevalent and you keep finding it in the same spot and you can't figure it out, then it's a problem.” – Alex O'Brien



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!



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



We'd love to hear from you!



📲 Connect with Alex [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-brien-13970162/], Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/], Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/], and the "Don't Eat Poop! [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96242364/admin/feed/posts/]" show on LinkedIn!



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

How to Make Cheese Safe with Alex O'Brien from the Center for Dairy Research | Episode 136

✨ Consistency is key in food safety, and DeVere Chemical helps you deliver it every time. From front-of-house cleaning to back-of-house floor and dish care, their simple, proven solutions keep operations running smoothly. 

Learn more about how DeVere makes food safety easier: https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/] 


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine have just gotten back from the Food Safety Consortium 2024, and they’re sharing everything while it’s still fresh in their minds.



You will hear all about their experience and their biggest takeaways. You will also be in the know about the amazing interviews they have coming your way.



So, don’t miss this event recap!



This is a replay of Episode 89. In this episode:



💩 [02:46] An exciting start to the Food Safety Consortium 2024

💩 [05:33] The best networking event in food safety 

💩 [08:42] The difference being in Washington D.C. made

💩 [10:25] The interviews they did and that are coming your way

💩 [12:24] The Women in Food Safety networking event

💩 [14:48] The sense of community around industry colleagues

💩 [16:49] The missed opportunities of our legal system

💩 [17:58] What you can expect in the upcoming episodes

💩 [18:50] A taste of fame

💩 [19:57] Matt’s and Francine’s biggest takeaways from the Consortium

💩 [22:46] Food safety concerns aren’t the same all over the world

💩 [25:00] Concerns about the FDA’s Reorganization Plan

💩 [26:14] The right reason for wearing black gloves



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



Resources from this episode

Register for the Food Safety Consortium 2025, from October 19-21, here [https://www.eventleaf.com/Attendee/Attendee/EventPage?eId=brs3K1c2cat0wRWBxBcM4Q%3D%3D]. Use the discount code POOP for $200 OFF. See you there!

Catch up on our interview with Rick Biros, the organizer of the Food Safety Consortium, on last year’s edition, Episode 37 | Integrating Cannabis into The World of Food Safety with Rick Biros [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/food-safety-and-cannabis-trust-consumers-and-more-an-interview-with-rick-biros-episode-37].

Learn more about Women in Food Safety [https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-food-safety/].

Catch up on the episode about the FDA’s plans to cut food funding to the states, Episode 69 | A Look at the FDA’s Reorganization Plan and Some Food Safety Mythbusting [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/a-look-at-the-fda-s-reorganization-plan-and-some-food-safety-mythbusting-episode-69].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“Really, truly, the Food Safety Consortium is the best networking event that I have ever been to.” – Matthew Regusci

“Corporate culture has got to change before we can change food safety culture, and that's where we need to start. I know that's where the difference is going to be made.” – 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!



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



We'd love to hear from you!



📲 Connect with

Replay: The 13th Annual Food Safety Consortium Recap | Episode 135

This episode is sponsored by DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/]
🧼 Ready to say WOW? Get 15% off DeVere’s best-selling WOW™ All Purpose Cleaner—tough on grime, gentle on surfaces. Use code POOP at checkout!

👉 Shop here [https://deverechemical.com/product/wow-all-purpose-cleaner/?attribute_pa_pack-size=1-gallon]

📩 Contact DeVere [https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/] to claim your discount.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are joined by David Hatch from Neogen, one of the world's largest suppliers of food safety testing platforms.



Get ready to learn all about food safety testing, such as what type of technology is available when it comes to testing (get results within seconds), and how the tests work in practice to keep food safe.



Unfortunately, you’ll also learn about the sad truth about most of the food safety industry being almost 2 decades behind when it comes to actually being able to do anything with the important data that it collects.



Tune in to hear the reasons why and how David and Neogen are working to change the tide.



This is a replay of Episode 64.

In this episode:



💩 [03:46] Meet David and Neogen 

💩 [06:49] The type of testing that most companies use and how it works

💩 [09:38] The importance of testing in food safety

💩 [12:38] The problem of managing testing information on spreadsheets and paper

💩 [16:33] David’s mission at Neogen to bring food safety to the present

💩 [18:28] Using spreadsheets doesn’t actually mean the process is digitized 

💩 [19:51] What it takes for food safety to become preventative instead of reactive 

💩 [21:08] What’s great about the Food Safety Consortium

💩 [28:03] The other side of Neogen: making food safe upstream



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



Resources from this episode

Register for the Food Safety Consortium 2025, from October 19-21, here [https://www.eventleaf.com/Attendee/Attendee/EventPage?eId=brs3K1c2cat0wRWBxBcM4Q%3D%3D]. Use the discount code POOP for $200 OFF. See you there!



Neogen website neogen.com [https://www.neogen.com/]. 



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“The problem is that the corporate management at food companies hasn't found a way to justify the digital transformation that needs to take place. And it's not that they don't want to, it's that the food industry operates at the lowest margins of any industry in the world. On average, it's only a 2.8% margin, which is the lowest in all industries in the world.” – David Hatch



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 David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davehatch/], Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/], Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/], and the "Don't Eat Poop! [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96242364/admin/feed/posts/]" show on LinkedIn!



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

Replay: Paper, Spreadsheets, and the Need to  Raise the Bar with David Hatch of Neogen | Episode 134

This episode is sponsored by DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/]
🧼 Ready to say WOW? Get 15% off DeVere’s best-selling WOW™ All Purpose Cleaner—tough on grime, gentle on surfaces. Use code POOP at checkout!

👉 Shop here [https://deverechemical.com/product/wow-all-purpose-cleaner/?attribute_pa_pack-size=1-gallon]

📩 Contact DeVere [https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/] to claim your discount.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are talking about how the majority of people are finally seeing that food irradiation may be a good solution for keeping food safe.



Between personal anecdotes, lessons from their journeys in food safety, and a new Food Safety News article, our hosts remember how this technology was first received decades ago, celebrate the big change in consumer opinion, and point out the biggest hurdles to its full adoption in the US.



In this episode:



💩 [01:03] When conversations about food irradiation first came around

💩 [02:10] Matt and Francine's childhood go-to foods

💩 [08:16] People's strong initial reactions to the idea of irradiated food

💩 [10:17] People don't like change, and they're still not seeing the "ir-"

💩 [12:07] The hardest thing in food safety and how Matt got into the industry

💩 [16:37] The review that revealed a growing acceptance of food irradiation

💩 [20:14] Will companies start adopting food irradiation?

💩 [22:07] How the FDA is getting in the way of change

💩 [25:38] What needs to change for food irradiation to be widely used

💩 [28:28] The great Listeria problem and the technology of the future

💩 [30:30] The FDA needs more change management people



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

Resources from this episode

Catch up with our last episode, where Matt shares his story, Episode 132 [https://savvyfs.com/the-celsius-recall-and-the-risks-of-finding-alcohol-in-non-alcoholic-beverages-episode-132/].



Learn about Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in this LinkedIn post by Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/francinelshaw_hoci-is-instrumental-in-preventing-food-safety-activity-7142675245336842240-Dkij/].



Check out the Food Safety News article our hosts are talking about, Review reveals growing support for food irradiation [https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/09/review-reveals-growing-support-for-food-irradiation/].



Listen to the episode with Bob Comstock about his UV-based technology for making milk safe, Episode 131 [https://savvyfs.com/how-a-little-sunlight-in-your-milk-is-going-to-profoundly-change-the-dairy-industry-with-bob-comstock-ceo-of-tamarack-biotics-episode-131/].



Learn more about FSMA 204, which has been punted yet again, in Episode 109 [https://savvyfs.com/its-been-punted-yet-again-companies-get-30-extra-months-to-comply-with-fsma-204-episode-109/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ Change management [is] the hardest thing in food safety. It was 20 years ago. It's still the same today. Change management is the hardest thing because getting people to change their habits is exactly what we do in food safety, and it is the hardest thing to do over and over and over and over again.” – Matt Regusci



“ I think [food irradiation is] a good thing. I also think that hypochlorous acid is a good thing, but nobody wants to change the way they do things. Everybody's like, it's the same old, same old that we've been doing for

Food Irradiation May Be On Its Way to Being Widely Adopted in the US | Episode 133

Get ready for an intensely personal, raw, and possibly uncomfortable episode of Don’t Eat Poop! Warning: In case alcoholism is a sensitive topic for you, proceed with caution.

In the face of a recent Celsius Astro Vibe energy drink recall due to a mix-up at the factory, which resulted in High Noon vodka seltzer alcohol inside Celsius cans, our hosts Matt and Francine are approaching this recall in a different way.

To better illustrate how serious this mishap is and its possible consequences, Matt opens up on his complicated decades-long journey with alcoholism and how he's finally managed to recover from it in the past two and a half years.

Tune in for this brave story and more information on this possibly disastrous recall.



In this episode:

💩 [03:00] Matt's early introduction to alcohol

💩 [04:06] From his teenage years all the way to COVID

💩 [05:44] When Matt's addiction to alcohol got really bad

💩 [09:45] The breaking point and Matt's hard road to sobriety

💩 [18:13] The physical aspects behind addiction

💩 [21:10] The feelings that come up in the process of recovery

💩 [24:59] The mistakenly alcoholic Celsius Astro Vibe recall

💩 [25:49] The risks if these mislabeled cans fall into kids' hands

💩 [27:00] Understand High Noon's monumentally terrible whoops

💩 [30:58] The seeming lack of quality control in these factories

💩 [32:12] Energy drinks and their differences

💩 [34:53] The recent diet Coke and regular Coke mix-up




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



Resources from this episode

Listen to the song Paralyzed by NF [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHhHUZsXTBk].

Learn more about Alcoholics Anonymous and find the one nearest to you at aa.org [https://www.aa.org/].

Check out the NBC article [https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/recall-warns-celsius-energy-drink-cans-accidentally-contain-alcohol-rcna222005] Matt refers to when talking about the Celsius recall.



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ An alcoholic who is in recovery, getting a drink that has alcohol in it, and they don't know, that could be very bad. Will it kill them? No, that one alcohol drink is not going to kill them. Will it kill them because they start drinking again, and then everything goes down? Potentially.” – Matt Regusci

“ Sometimes I wonder if some of these places even have quality control. I don't know. They have to, at some level, but you have to wonder.” – 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!

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



We'd love to hear from you!

📲 Connect with Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/], Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/], and the "Don't Eat Poop! [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96242364/admin/feed/posts/]" show on LinkedIn!

📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen? on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Who-Watches-Kitchen-Inspector-Uncovers/dp/B0CHL7DH88?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER]! 



Whoops! The Celsius Recall and the Very Real Risks of Finding Alcohol in Non-Alcoholic Beverages | Episode 132

In episode 127 of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine talked about a technological breakthrough that could zap the pathogens out of raw milk while preserving its beneficial components.



Well, in this episode they are joined by the man behind it all, Bob Comstock, the Founder and CEO of Tamarack Biotics, the company that's developed this UV-based pasteurization process.



Tune in to discover how this technology makes nutritious and safe milk, how it will replace thermal treatments, and how it's already making its way to the rest of the world.



In this episode:



💩 [01:11] Meet Bob Comstock and his journey with Tamarack Biotics

💩 [02:57] How this UV-based technology makes milk safe

💩 [06:44] The differences in milk after different treatments

💩 [08:51] Improving milk's bioavailability and restoring immune function

💩 [11:10] The 3 reasons this technology will change everything

💩 [11:44] The FDA and the history of making milk safe

💩 [12:47] How TruActive kills only the pathogens and leaves the rest

💩 [15:40] Solving the biggest challenge in processing milk with heat

💩 [16:40] Replacing heat with UV without changing dairy infrastructure

💩 [19:00] Why the FDA is slowing down the adoption of this technology

💩 [23:00] How UV-treated milk can prevent children from developing allergies

💩 [25:07] This is already making its way to the rest of the world

💩 [26:05] Making infant formula better and more nutritious

💩 [29:33] Why plant-based milks can't compare with the real thing

💩 [31:29] How this technology will affect the raw milk industry

💩 [35:39] The groundbreaking approval from the FDA and the global rollout

💩 [37:35] Research centers for dairy, food technology, and nutrition  

💩 [40:16] The very real dangers of raw milk (take care of your cats)

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

Resources from this episode

Catch up with the episode where we first talked about Bob Comstock and his innovative technology,  Episode 127 | Zapping Pathogens Could Be a Breakthrough For Making Raw Milk Safe [https://savvyfs.com/zapping-pathogens-could-be-a-breakthrough-for-making-raw-milk-safe-episode-127/].



Learn more about Tamarack Biotics here [https://tamarackbiotics.com/].



Catch up with one of the podcast's best episodes on raw milk: Episode 22 | Is It Safe to Drink Raw Milk? Food Safety Specialists Break It Down [https://savvyfs.com/the-risks-of-drinking-raw-milk-just-dont-episode-22/].

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“This approval we got from the FDA was groundbreaking. It's opening an enormous door because they've affirmed that we're legal pasteurization of milk and that we're actually safer than heat. It's not a compromise in safety that some people might think from an alternative to heat, but it's safer.” – Bob Comstock

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!



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



We'd love to hear from you!



📲 Connect with Bob [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-comstock-660503/], Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/], Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/], and the "

How a Little Sunlight in Your Milk is Going to Profoundly Change the Dairy Industry with Bob Comstock, CEO of Tamarack Biotics | Episode 131

In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are diving into the 2025 IFIC Food and Health Survey, a robust study that reveals confidence in U.S. food safety has hit an all-time low.

Tune in for their analysis on the big shifts that have happened in consumer opinions and concerns over the past few years, and their opinion on what this means for food suppliers going forward.

Keep in mind that there is a lot of their trademark humor throughout the episode. Don't always take things at face value, unless they're actual stats. Beware!



In this episode:

💩 [01:18] Matt's going from 11 to 12 forever kiddos

💩 [07:32] Francine's health scare (don't worry, she's alright now)

💩 [09:55] Confidence in U.S. food safety has hit an all-time low

💩 [12:00] How different generations relate to the safety of their food

💩 [15:43] Why overall confidence dropped so much so fast

💩 [17:46] The pressure is on for food suppliers to catch up 

💩 [19:55] The shift in consumers' major concerns around the U.S. food supply

💩 [24:17] Consumers are becoming more worried about foodborne illnesses

💩 [28:50] Growing concern over heavy metals, chemicals, and food dyes

💩 [33:52] Americans' views on the safety of imported food

💩 [37:21] Key results from the 2025 IFIC Food and Health Survey

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



Resources from this episode

Check out the Food Safety News article our hosts are talking about, Confidence in U.S. food safety hits an all-time low [https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/07/confidence-in-u-s-food-safety-hits-an-all-time-low/].

Learn more about the Clean Label Project Certification at cleanlabelproject.org [https://cleanlabelproject.org/awards-certifications/].

Catch up on our previous episode for more on the Shakes Outbreak, Episode 129 | A Recap of 2025’s Major Outbreaks (So Far) with Bill Marler [https://savvyfs.com/a-recap-of-2025s-major-outbreaks-so-far-with-bill-marler-episode-129/].

Catch up on the episode where we talked about what MAHA is trying to push, Episode 125 | FDA Spikes the Ball and Claims Success [https://savvyfs.com/fda-spikes-the-ball-and-claims-success-episode-125/].

Watch Emmy award-winning documentary, Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food [https://www.netflix.com/br-en/title/81460481].

Learn all about the WanaBana Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches Lead and Chromium Poisoning Outbreak with Episode 51 [https://savvyfs.com/stanley-cups-vs-cinnamon-applesauce-which-is-more-likely-to-give-you-lead-poisoning-episode-51/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“The food industry is going to have to shift. It just is. It's not a, if it's going to, it's a when it's going to because it won't be able to compete with other companies that address these issues. It just won't.” – Matt Regusci

“ I don't think even three years ago that [...] people were aware of foodborne illnesses so much. Yeah, they existed. But [...] I don't think it was something that was really even thought about. Which makes me believe that things like Poisoned and the podcasts that are out there talking about these things are helping.” – 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!

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

<

Confidence in U.S. Food Safety Hits an All-Time Low | Episode 130

This episode is sponsored by DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/]
🧼 Ready to say WOW? Get 15% off DeVere’s best-selling WOW™ All Purpose Cleaner—tough on grime, gentle on surfaces. Use code POOP at checkout!

👉 Shop here [https://deverechemical.com/product/wow-all-purpose-cleaner/?attribute_pa_pack-size=1-gallon]

📩 Contact DeVere [https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/] to claim your discount.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are joined by Bill Marler, the nation's leading foodborne illness attorney, to discuss some of the major outbreaks of 2025 (so far), those who aren't doing what they're supposed to, and how we can push for changes towards food safety.



Buckle up because not only are there many, but they're very frustrating ones.



We'll revisit the Boar's Head Outbreak as new violations have been found in other plants, and the company is reopening the plant from the outbreak. We'll tackle the Darwin Dog Food case, which has been linked to a four-year-old child who became infected with E. coli O157:H7 and developed HUS, as well as the Listeria Shake Outbreak in long-term care facilities, with 14 dead.



In this episode:



💩 [01:11] Sexy tractors and feeling politically out of place

💩 [04:07] Do the Boar's Head executives even care?

💩 [08:06] What Boar's Head is doing and what they should've done instead

💩 [16:15] The frustrating E. coli-contaminated Darwin Dog Food case

💩 [18:53] FDA's failure to enforce a product recall from Darwin

💩 [24:14] How Bill is finally getting justice for the Shake Outbreak victims

💩 [29:42] How companies can save lives by testing their products

💩 [33:29] When authorities redact documents and withhold critical information 

💩 [37:58] The Romaine Lettuce outbreak that remains a "mystery"

💩 [42:49] How Bill Marler is unfortunately having to do the FDA and CDC's jobs

💩 [50:04] The incredible success of the fight against E. coli in hamburgers

💩 [55:04] Addressing the Poisoned documentary skeptics



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

Resources from this episode

Read the Marler Blog post with the 35 pages of non-conformances on Boar's Head's plants [https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/thank-god-for-the-free-press/].



Read about the frustrating E. coli-contaminated Darwin Dog Food case [https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/after-listeria-salmonella-and-e-coli-positive-samples-and-the-hus-in-a-child-why-no-mandatory-recall-by-the-fda/].



Read about the Listeria Shake Outbreak in long-term care facilities [https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/marler-clark-files-first-shake-listeria-lawsuit-linked-to-14-deaths-with-42-sick-in-21-states/].



Here's the video with the keynote speaker saying we should "Put Bill Marler out of business" [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/billmarler_iafp-iafp2025-activity-7355587003205275649-ePyU].



Watch Bill Marler and Darin Detwiler’s Emmy award-winning documentary, Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food [https://www.netflix.com/br-en/title/81460481].



Read about the multi-state E. coli outbreak where the FDA and CDC chose to Romaine Silent [https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cdc-and-fda-romaine-silent/].



Catch up with past Bill Marler episodes:



Episode 17 [https://savvyfs.com/an-offer-you-cant-refuse-episode-17/]

A Recap of 2025’s Major Outbreaks (So Far) with Bill Marler | Episode 129

This episode is sponsored by DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/]
🧼 Ready to say WOW? Get 15% off DeVere’s best-selling WOW™ All Purpose Cleaner—tough on grime, gentle on surfaces. Use code POOP at checkout!

👉 Shop here [https://deverechemical.com/product/wow-all-purpose-cleaner/?attribute_pa_pack-size=1-gallon]

📩 Contact DeVere [https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/] to claim your discount.


Think you know food safety? Think again. In this special highlight episode of Don’t Eat Poop, we’re rewinding to some of the most surprising facts we’ve ever shared on the show — the kind that can change the way you shop, cook, and eat.

From chemical-laced decaf to disgusting yet FDA-approved gloves, these are real, documented truths that every food lover (and every food safety professional) should know… but most don’t.

In this episode:

💩 [01:43] Why some decaf coffee may contain industrial solvents — and what you should choose instead (yes, there is a safe option)

💩 [04:40] The surprising truth about mayonnaise storage 

💩 [06:52] Why washing this food does more harm than good 

💩 [12:41] The big myth about “killing all bacteria” in fresh produce facilities and why washing produce at home won’t save you

💩 [20:08] The dirty truth about disposable gloves (including the pathogens and contaminants found right out of the box)



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

Resources & References

 1. Clean Label Project: Decaf Coffee Contaminants White Paper [https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/CLP-Decaf-Coffee-White-Paper_3_2.pdf]
 2. Episode 111 | What They Don’t Tell You About Decaf Coffee That You Should Absolutely Know [https://savvyfs.com/what-they-dont-tell-you-about-decaf-coffee-that-you-should-absolutely-know-episode-111/]
 3. Episode 99 | 20 Food Items You Don’t Actually Need to Refrigerate [https://savvyfs.com/20-food-items-you-dont-actually-need-to-refrigerate-episode-99/]
 4. Episode 73 | Don’t Wash Your Chicken, Seriously [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/don-t-wash-your-chicken-seriously-episode-73]
 5. Episode 69 | A Look at the FDA’s Reorganization Plan and Some Food Safety Mythbusting [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/a-look-at-the-fda-s-reorganization-plan-and-some-food-safety-mythbusting-episode-69]
 6. Episode 115 | Gloves: Risks and Solutions for the Most Overlooked Zone 1 Food Safety Item with Steve Ardagh, CEO & Founder of Eagle Protect [https://savvyfs.com/gloves-risks-and-solutions-for-the-most-overlooked-zone-1-food-safety-item-with-steve-ardagh-ceo-founder-of-eagle-protect-episode-115/]



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“Methylene Chloride is an active ingredient in paint thinner that was recently banned by the EPA. So you could not use this product to scrape paint off your walls. It's too dangerous for that, but to throw into some coffee beans to get rid of caffeine? No problem?!” – Matt Regusci

“We know from independent research that in tests done on 2,800 new and unused gloves from 26 different brands, over 260 different viable pathogens were found. Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella. Name it, it was there. ” – 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!

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



We'd love to hear from you!



📲 Connect wit

5 Food Safety Truths Everyone Should Know (Starting with Decaf) | Episode 128

This episode is sponsored by DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/]
🧼 Ready to say WOW? Get 15% off DeVere’s best-selling WOW™ All Purpose Cleaner—tough on grime, gentle on surfaces. Use code POOP at checkout!

👉 Shop here [https://deverechemical.com/product/wow-all-purpose-cleaner/?attribute_pa_pack-size=1-gallon]

📩 Contact DeVere [https://deverechemical.com/contact-us/] to claim your discount.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are revisiting a much-discussed topic within the food safety world: raw milk.

Despite its undeniable health benefits, the long list of dangerous pathogens that may be present makes consuming raw milk far too risky. Until now, the only way to make sure milk is safe for consumption has been through pasteurization; however, an emerging advanced UV light technology may change the game.

Tune in to discover what we know so far about the breakthrough that promises to zap pathogens out of raw milk while preserving its beneficial components, which will save lots of lives.



In this episode:

💩 [01:02] No sympathy for a man cold

💩 [06:49] Why you can potentially die if you drink raw milk

💩 [08:58] A possible way to make raw milk safe without pasteurization

💩 [10:58] PSA about contacting Matt and Francine on LinkedIn

💩 [12:14] The new technology and what is FDA-approved so far

💩 [16:41] A macro view of how the process possibly works

💩 [19:53] What will make or break this new technology

💩 [21:31] The importance of agreeing to disagree

💩 [23:08] The potential uses and impact of this treatment process

💩 [25:22] The benefits for raw milk producers and consumers

💩 [27:25] How about some Don't Eat Poop! merch?



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



Resources from this episode

Check out the Food Safety News article our hosts are talking about, Zapping pathogens could be breakthrough for raw milk [https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/07/zapping-pathogens-could-be-breakthrough-for-raw-milk/].

Catch up with one of the podcast's best episodes on raw milk: Episode 22 | Is It Safe to Drink Raw Milk? Food Safety Specialists Break It Down [https://savvyfs.com/the-risks-of-drinking-raw-milk-just-dont-episode-22/].

Listen to our previous episode with Roger Hancock: Episode 126 | How the FDA Wants YOU to Fix Food Safety Recalls [https://savvyfs.com/how-the-fda-wants-you-to-fix-food-safety-recalls-with-roger-hancock-ceo-of-recall-infolink-episode-126/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

"Who doesn't know there's poop in raw milk? There's poop in pasteurized milk. The difference is it's pasteurized, so it's got rid of the pathogens." – Matt Regusci

“They've been advertising [these UV light treatments] in kitchens for equipment and things like that for years. I've always been a bit skeptical [...] because it's only going to sanitize where the light can reach. [...] That wouldn't be the case with this. I mean, it's kind of exciting.” – 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!

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



We'd love to hear from you!

📲 Connect with Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/],

Zapping Pathogens Could Be a Breakthrough For Making Raw Milk Safe | Episode 127

Join food safety specialists Francine L. Shaw (CEO and Founder, Savvy Food Safety) and Matthew Regusci (Founder, Fostering Compliance) and occasional guests as they dish about all things food safety: industry trends, news, recurring frustrations and more. Learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the food supply chain, but were too afraid to ask - plus a lot you never wanted to know and will regret learning! Funny, fresh takes on a (potentially deadly!) serious topic. New episodes served up on Tuesdays.

Matt Regusci

Shows