🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are looking back before they look forward in this new year.



They are unpacking an article from February 2025 that shares some worrisome stats about foodborne illness, outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths from contaminated food in 2024, all of which increased significantly from the previous year.



In this episode:



0:00:00 When distances are relative

0:07:07 A recap of food recalls in 2024

0:13:43 Key findings on foodborne illnesses

0:18:06 If you don't test for it, it's not there



Tune back in next week for the episode where our hosts talk about the article on how the government is looking to shut down some key food safety acts and rules.



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

Resources from this episode

Read the Food for Thought 2025 [https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/food-for-thought-2025/] article Matt and Francine refer to in this episode.



Correction: chickens fly at 175 birds per minute, not 175 miles per hour, in US poultry processing plants. You can learn more about these worrisome speeds on Episode 110 [https://savvyfs.com/when-dead-chickens-fly-the-current-issue-with-american-chicken-processing-plants-episode-110/].



As for the acceptable levels of Salmonella in poultry, you can check out Episode 144 [https://savvyfs.com/apparently-a-little-salmonella-in-poultry-is-okay-but-should-it-really-be-episode-144/].



For a Recap of 2024’s Major Outbreaks with Bill Marler, listen to Episode 92 [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/a-recap-of-2024-s-major-outbreaks-with-bill-marler-episode-92], and for one of the major outbreaks from the first half of 2025, catch up with Episode 129 [https://savvyfs.com/a-recap-of-2025s-major-outbreaks-so-far-with-bill-marler-episode-129/].



Hear more about what it's like to get listeria and survive it in the gut-wrenching Episode 122 [https://savvyfs.com/listerias-lasting-damage-a-food-safety-wake-up-call-episode-122/].



Learn the basics of the ByHeart Infant Botulism Outbreak linked to their baby formula, check out Episode 147 [https://savvyfs.com/category/podcast/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ If we're looking at why 13 [outbreaks] accounted for 98% of the hospitalizations and deaths. It's because 22% of the recalls came from Listeria. That is crazy.” – Matt Regusci



“ It's mind-boggling that they are shutting down food safety programs one after another, agencies, and just different things throughout the course of the year, and foodborne illnesses are increasing.” – 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.

The Concerning Increase in Hospitalizations and Deaths from Foodborne Illnesses in 2024 | Episode 148

🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are unpacking what's shaping up to be one of the worst outbreaks of 2025: the ByHeart Infant Botulism Outbreak linked to their baby formula, previously Clean Label Project (CLP) certified.



There have been other cases over the years, and, unfortunately, this just happens to be the most recent one. We need to find a way to curb this. 



That's why our hosts are sharing not only the details of this international outbreak, but also possible solutions and straightforward practices that food producers can implement to effectively prevent outbreaks.



In this episode:



0:01:07 What CLP does and doesn't test for and why

0:10:48 How Matt helped companies through outbreaks

0:15:27 How the industry can truly prevent outbreaks

0:23:23 How to ensure your product is pathogen-free

0:26:42 Why baby formula standards must be stricter

0:39:30 One of the worst outbreaks of 2025



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

Resources from this episode

Learn all about Clean Label Project in our interview with Jaclyn Bowen, the previous Executive Director, in Episode 101 [https://savvyfs.com/changing-the-definition-of-food-and-consumer-safety-with-jaclyn-bowen-from-clean-label-project-episode-101/].



Stay up-to-date on this outbreak here [https://www.marlerblog.com/?s=byheart].



Read Bill Marler's article on Operation Stork Speed [https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/so-much-for-operation-stork-speed-i-bet-botulism-in-infant-formula-was-not-the-bingo-card/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ The only 100% way that you are not going to get somebody pregnant or an STD is: don't have sex. For the advice for the industry, the only way to be 100% sure that you are not going to have pathogens in your product is to test them all. ” – Matt Regusci



“ This isn't the only case. [...] This just happens to be the most current. Now we're giving [babies] poisoned food, and it's the only food they're receiving. It's detrimental, and we need to find a way to curb this.” – 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? [https://savvyfs.com/book/]



🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!



The Heartbreaking ByHeart Infant Botulism Outbreak and What the Food Industry Can Do to Prevent Them | Episode 147

🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are once again trying to convince you not to kill your loved ones over the holidays. 



Since last year's episode may not have been enough, they're back this year with ways to protect your family from foodborne illness this holiday season.



Tune in to a chaotic episode that's full of life and gratitude, our hosts' unique sense of humor in full force, a boatload of pre-travel anxiety, and some crazy food safety stories.



Disclaimer: If you're a social worker working with CPS or foster care and you end up listening to this, please do not take what Matt's saying at face value. He is indeed joking and/or being sarcastic.



In this episode:



0:00:00 Holiday plans and flying with a family of 15

0:11:14 A rough year and a shout-out from Francine

0:13:05 Thermometers, wipes, and sleeping aids

0:17:02 Holiday food safety fails and how to avoid them



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

Resources from this episode

To learn more about the woman who tried to kill her ex’s family with Beef Wellington, catch up with Episode 38 | Don’t Cook Salmon in the Dishwasher! [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/throw-the-placenta-in-the-dishwasher-episode-38]



Want to read the story about the turkey that flew during Thanksgiving and other captivating, crazy food safety stories? Make sure to check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen? [https://savvyfs.com/book/]



Read our complete guide on How to Not Kill Your Family Over the Holidays [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-kill-your-family-over-holidays-episode-95-shaw-cp-fs-fmp-wc31e/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ I bet that stuffing was absolutely amazing, sitting there permeating in all the juices overnight. [...] So, you taste all the other flavors, but not salmonella. You taste all the other flavors coming back up again after you get salmonella.” – Matt Regusci



“ I got the flu a lot at Thanksgiving when I was a kid. [...] When I say the flu, we all know the flu now isn't vomiting and diarrhea.” – 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? [https://savvyfs.com/book/]



🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!



Seriously, Don’t Kill Your Loved Ones During the Holidays | Episode 146

🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are talking about a bill introduced to the Senate earlier this year, the “Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions Act of 2025.”



This DIRECT Act would allow direct-to-consumer online sales of state-inspected meat and poultry across state lines.



Tune in as our hosts unpack the proposed legislative changes, the potential benefits, and what it would mean for the USDA, as well as the possible food safety risks, traceability issues, and other challenges.



In this episode:



0:06:17 Breaking down the DIRECT Act

0:14:33 Will traceability get better?

0:17:37 USDA vs. State inspections and exemptions

0:23:33 Will enforcement be stronger?

27:05 The big issue with the current consolidation

30:5 Where our meat imports come from



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



Resources from this episode

Read the Food Safety News article [https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/11/gop-senators-want-to-allow-direct-sales-of-state-inspected-meat-and-poultry-on-the-web/] Matt and Francine refer to in this episode.



Hear the new and exciting things over at Food Safety News on Episode 143 [https://savvyfs.com/breaking-news-about-food-safety-news-with-bill-marler-the-sponsor-and-peter-gustafson-the-fractional-executive-director-episode-143/].



Catch up with the Pre-Made Pasta Meals Listeria outbreak with Episode 141 [https://savvyfs.com/when-in-doubt-throw-it-out-check-your-freezer-for-these-pre-made-pasta-meals-with-listeria-episode-141/].



Learn all about how fast the chickens fly at a poultry plant with Episode 110 [https://savvyfs.com/when-dead-chickens-fly-the-current-issue-with-american-chicken-processing-plants-episode-110/], as well as how upset the poultry industry is over a salmonella-filled report with Episode 144 [https://savvyfs.com/apparently-a-little-salmonella-in-poultry-is-okay-but-should-it-really-be-episode-144/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“This is a chink against not just the USDA's armor of the monopoly, but it's also a chink against the top meat producers in their monopoly armor. They don't want small meat companies competing against them. Not at all.” – Matt Regusci



“ I'm all about helping the smaller farmers, the smaller businesses. I am all about doing whatever we can do to support them. I live in an area that that is what we are. But we need to make sure that we do it safely.” – 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/],

The DIRECT Act: Is Allowing Meat and Poultry to Be Sold Across State Lines Direct-to-Consumers Online a Good Idea? | Episode 145

🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are, unfortunately, talking once more about poultry and salmonella.



They are unpacking the concerning Farm Forward Salmonella and Foodborne Disease Report released in October 2025. The results showed elevated levels of salmonella contamination in grocery store poultry samples.



Tune in to discover why poultry-related salmonella infections persist in the US, including how USDA standards fall short, the industry pushback, and what can be done to reverse this situation.



In this episode:



0:00:00 The report that found salmonella in poultry

0:09:47 The unmet USDA salmonella contamination limits

0:11:58 How poultry should follow other industries' standards

0:17:56 Lessons from the US beef industry and the EU

0:22:09 The safe temperature to cook poultry

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



Resources from this episode

Read the LA Times article [https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-10-30/salmonella-is-widespread-in-ground-poultry-the-usda-knows-it-and-does-nothing-to-stop-it] Matt and Francine refer to in this episode and the original Farm Forward Report [https://www.farmforward.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Farm-Forward-Salmonella-and-Foodborne-Disease-October-2025.pdf].



Francine's LinkedIn Post [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/francinelshaw_poultry-educate-publichealth-activity-7382909384307220480-s2GU] with a picture of turkey packaging that showed improper handling procedures. 



Just in case you need a refresher on how to safely handle poultry, catch up with Episode 73 | Don’t Wash Your Chicken, Seriously [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/don-t-wash-your-chicken-seriously-episode-73].



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



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ While I'm not for ending commercial chicken farming, I am for ending salmonella in one-third or over 400,000 of the cases annually in consumers. You can be for commercial farming and also against poisoning people.” – Matt Regusci



“ For the industry to take this attitude is just, I believe, irresponsible on their part. It shows, in my opinion, just a total lack of disregard for consumers because they've got the ability to correct it. They're choosing not to [deal with salmonella].” – 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/]

Apparently, a Little Salmonella in Poultry is Okay. But Should It Really Be? | Episode 144

🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are joined by two special guests: Bill Marler, who you already know as the nation's leading foodborne illness attorney, and his wonderful son-in-law, Peter Gustafson.



But this isn't a family reunion; they are here to share some very exciting news about Food Safety News (FSN), the online newspaper that has been keeping everyone who cares about the safety of our food supply informed about critical food safety concerns for the past 16 years.



For all those years, Bill alone funded the publication, but that is not sustainable. Thankfully, Peter recently joined the team as a Fractional Executive Director of FSN, and they're figuring out how to change that.



Tune in to discover the future of FSN and the changes that will allow it to not only outlast Bill, but to take the food safety journalism we know and love to the next level.



In this episode:



0:05:58 The history and evolution of FSN

0:11:47 The importance of making FSN self-sustaining

0:19:48 The 1st solution: Google Ads and nonprofit status

0:22:50 The age of AI and the need for a new solution

0:26:27 What the new FSN+ membership will look like

0:31:43 Becoming sustainable to go above and beyond

Resources from this episode

Be one of the first to become an FSN+ member and lock in the founding member pricing at foodsafetynews.com/membership [https://foodsafetynews.com/membership/]. 

Read some deep Bill Marler angst in the Marler Blog [https://www.marlerblog.com/].

Read Francine's opinion pieces in Food Safety News [https://www.foodsafetynews.com/author/fshaw/] through the years.

Check out the Food Safety News Merch Store [https://shop.foodsafetynews.com/].

Catch up with past Bill Marler Don't Eat Poop! episodes:



 * Episode 17 [https://savvyfs.com/an-offer-you-cant-refuse-episode-17/]
 * Episode 18 [https://savvyfs.com/the-most-feared-man-in-food-conversation-with-bill-marler-episode-18/]
 * Bonus Episode [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/breaking-news-whats-going-on-with-boars-head-the-latest-of-this-listeria-outbreak-with-bill-marler]
 * Episode 92 [https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/a-recap-of-2024-s-major-outbreaks-with-bill-marler-episode-92]
 * Episode 100 [https://savvyfs.com/the-tables-have-turned-bill-marler-interviews-our-hosts-matt-and-francine-episode-100/]
 * Episode 129
   [https://savvyfs.com/a-recap-of-2025s-major-outbreaks-so-far-with-bill-marler-episode-129/]
   

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ It's not a desire to cut back. It's a desire to build. It's a desire to make something sustainable, better, and more useful for the food safety public.” – Bill Marler



“I think this year we're averaging just over 400,000 page views per month, whereas last year we averaged 1.6 million pages per month [...] So as you can imagine, that [FSN's ad] revenue came down quite a bit.” – Peter Gustafson

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Together, we can r

Breaking News About Food Safety News with Bill Marler, the Sponsor, and Peter Gustafson, the Fractional Executive Director | Episode 143

🍽️ Francine and Matt are building a global, fun, and inclusive Food Safety Family! From the C-suite to the kitchen, they’re making safe food the norm everywhere.

👉 Follow Francine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinelshaw/] and Matt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattregusci/] on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are joined by Melody Ge, the Founder of Women in Food Safety and Chief Technical Officer at EAGLE Certification Group, straight from the Food Safety Consortium 2025.



They've been wanting to have Melody on the show for years, and it's finally worked out. There's a cumulative 70 years of experience among them in this episode, and you'll hear the stories that come along with it.



Learn more about the 5-year-old Women in Food Safety community, which has recently become a full-fledged nonprofit. Get the lay of the land in the food safety auditing world, learn what's missing, and discover how Melody, who has been both an auditor and an auditee, and her team at EAGLE are working to change that reality.



In this episode:



0:00:00 Melody’s 20-year career path

0:04:04 Growing Women in Food Safety

0:07:40 The biggest challenge for food safety pros

0:12:43 Food safety audit industry issues

0:15:53 Solutions for auditing, and the industry's future

0:31:45 How to help pipeline future good auditors

0:40:52 Melody's Food Safety Consortium reflections

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



Resources from this episode

Learn more about and join the Women in Food Safety through their LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-food-safety/] or website [https://www.womeninfoods.org/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ Regardless, it's either the auditee or the auditor. We all want food safety. This is a common goal, and I never doubted that before. It's the approach and the position we're in [that are] very different. So, how can we help each other and make the most value out of it?” – Melody Ge



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 Melody [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-ge-54116717/], 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? [https://savvyfs.com/book/]



🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!



Fill out this form [https://forms.gle/7GfKw4sdUQeLhqX5A] to tell us more about yourself. We’ll reach out via email within 30 days with next steps if you’re selected.

_______

Produced by Ideablossoms [https://ideablossoms.com/]



Food Safety Insights From Both Sides of the Audit with Melody Ge, CTO at EAGLE Certification Group | Episode 142

In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are, unfortunately, talking about a deadly multi-state Listeria outbreak… again. This time, the culprit is surprisingly hiding in pasta.



Tune in as they break down the recent outbreak, which has a 26% death rate, and has led to recalls of pre-made pasta meals across stores, including Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe's.



Discover the only way to fix Listeria, what foodborne illnesses truly mean for their victims, and how outrageously our government and institutions have been handling these realities.



In this episode:



0:00:00 A deadly and unexpected Listeria outbreak in pasta

0:15:18 Victims aren't getting the information they need

0:18:41 The only solution for Listeira, food safety's #1 enemy

0:21:17 The harsh realities and ugly effects of foodborne illnesses

0:25:10 The stories of the victims that hit our hosts the hardest

0:30:15 The government's mantra: "We ignore it, so it goes away"

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 referring to, "More deaths reported in Listeria outbreak linked to pre-made pasta meals [https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/10/more-deaths-reported-in-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-pre-made-pasta-meals/]."



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



Catch up with Episode 122 [https://savvyfs.com/listerias-lasting-damage-a-food-safety-wake-up-call-episode-122/], where we learn the story of a man who survived Listeriosis but lost everything else.



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“ Listeria is a big deal, and the only way to fix Listeria is having a food safety culture that allows you to test for this and really find and destroy this bug. This is the enemy, and every single facility in the world needs to view Listeria as the number one enemy.” – Matt Regusci



“ We're never gonna stop all of the foodborne illnesses. That's impossible. But they can certainly be minimized, and that's what's so frustrating, is none of them have to happen, but they're all preventable. Nobody should ever die from eating food.” – 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? [https://savvyfs.com/book/]



🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!



Fill out this form [https://forms.gle/7GfKw4sdUQeLhqX5A] to tell us more about yourself. We’ll reach out via email within 30 days with next steps if you’re selected.

_______

Produced by Ideablossoms
[https://ideablossoms.com/]


When In Doubt, Throw It Out: Check Your Freezer For These Pre-Made Pasta Meals With Listeria | Episode 141

🔒 Food safety isn’t one-size-fits-all, and DeVere Chemical gets that. Their team of food safety specialists brings real-world experience and even offers customized training for your plant. 

From tough soils to pathogen control, DeVere’s cleaners, sanitizers, and support keep your facility safe, efficient, and always audit-ready. 

Learn more here: DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/] 


It's that time of year again! In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts, Matt and Francine, have just returned from the Food Safety Consortium (FSC) 2025 and are sharing all about their experience among the best people in the food safety industry.



In this recap, you'll hear about why the FSC is the best food safety conference for networking, how the Consortium has shaped Matt and Francine's careers and podcast through the years, why they recorded fewer interviews this time around, and more.



Celebrate the podcast's recent #1 spot in its category on iHeartRadio, and regenerate your faith in the industry after this episode.



In this episode:



0:00:00 The best food safety conference for networking

0:04:25 What to expect from this year's interviews

0:10:43 Our sense of humor and negative reviews

0:14:53 What makes the FSC powerful and unique

0:20:57 Learning from food safety powerhouses



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

Resources from this episode

Stay up to date on all things Food Safety Consortium for next year’s edition here [https://foodsafetytech.com/food-safety-consortium/]. Use the code POOP for a discount when you register.



Catch up with the two FSC 2025 interviews that are already live:

 * Episode 138 with long-time Environmental Health Food Inspector, Monica Pancare [https://savvyfs.com/environmental-health-food-inspector-tales-from-another-one-who-watches-the-kitchen-with-monica-pancare-episode-138/]
 * Episode 139 with Food Safety Icon Dr. Darin Detwiler and His Wife Gennette Zimmer [https://savvyfs.com/what-happens-when-you-speak-up-for-food-safety-with-food-safety-icon-dr-darin-detwiler-and-his-wife-gennette-zimmer-episode-139/]



Learn more about Rick Biros [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-biros-860bb47/], the mastermind behind the FSC, on Episode 123 [https://savvyfs.com/behind-the-scenes-at-the-food-safety-consortium-with-rick-biros-conference-culture-compliance-community-episode-123/].



Connect with food safety powerhouse, Charray Williams [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charray-williams-110b48131/], and catch up with our interview with her son, Tyler Williams, CEO of ASI Food Safety, in Episode 48 [https://savvyfs.com/a-fresh-perspective-in-the-food-safety-industry-with-tyler-williams-ceo-of-asi-food-safety-episode-48/].

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“[Food Safety Consortium] has to be the best conference in terms of networking [...] because so much stuff in our career has literally happened for the networking at the Food Safety Consortium.” – Matt Regusci



“ It's there [in the Food Safety Consortium]. It's done in the open, and it just looks like a few people sitting there having a normal conversation, and that's what it is. And we're actually recording podcast episodes, which is really fun. I enjoy it.” – 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 wo

The 14th Annual Food Safety Consortium Recap | Episode 140

🔒 Food safety isn’t one-size-fits-all, and DeVere Chemical gets that. Their team of food safety specialists brings real-world experience and even offers customized training for your plant. 

From tough soils to pathogen control, DeVere’s cleaners, sanitizers, and support keep your facility safe, efficient, and always audit-ready. 

Learn more here: DeVere Chemical [https://deverechemical.com/] 


In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts, Matt and Francine, are joined by some old friends: food safety icon and advocate Dr. Darin Detwiler and his data analyst wife and co-host of the Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole Podcast, Gennette Zimmer.



Straight from the Food Safety Consortium 2025, you'll hear all about Dr. Darin and Gennette's new binge-worthy podcast in this laugh-out-loud crossover episode.



Between stories of speaking up for food safety, submarine service, band camp, podcast creation, and lots of laughter, this episode explores how being a food safety a**hole might actually be a badge of honor.



Get ready to see a new side of Dr. Darin that doesn't show up in a magazine or on stage, and to officially meet his partner in business and in life, the witty storyteller, Gennette.



In this episode:



💩 [01:34] A food safety a**hole, his conflict-averse wife, and their podcast

💩 [06:05] Poisoned, the Emmy award-winning documentary

💩 [07:40] How Confessions is genuine, fun, and very binge-worthy

💩 [10:14] Being food safety a**holes and the stories that don't make it on stage

💩 [16:50] Times when speaking up for food safety went right or wrong

💩 [20:03] When Gennette found out what she was getting herself into

💩 [25:58] How they make it work together both personally and professionally

💩 [31:25] Dr. Darin's life on a nuclear submarine versus his life now

💩 [38:18] Twice irradiated submarine food and a radioactive prank

💩 [40:17] What we can expect from Confessions as it evolves

💩 [43:23] Two similar yet so very different food safety podcasts

💩 [44:59] How our podcasts started and how they're going

💩 [49:05] Dr. Darin and Gennette's favorite thing about the FSC 2025

💩 [51:21] What could make the Food Safety Consortium even better



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



Resources from this episode

Listen to the Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole at foodsafetyahole.com [https://foodsafetyahole.com/]



Catch up with previous Don't Eat Poop! episodes with Dr. Darin Detwiler, starting with Episode 106 [https://savvyfs.com/food-safety-voices-communicating-effectively-in-challenging-times-linkedin-live-episode-106/], where you’ll find the links to the other ones as well.



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



Hear more about Dr. Darin's life on a nuclear submarine on Episode 5 of Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/darins-journey-from-reactor-rooms-to-recall-culture/id1829718508?i=1000733330515].



Learn more about irradiated food on Episode 133 | Food Irradiation May Be On Its Way to Being Widely Adopted in the US [https://savvyfs.com/food-irradiation-may-be-on-its-way-to-being-widely-adopted-in-the-us-episode-133/].



Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“While there's this flip of a coin 50/50, whether I go into saying something, whethe

What Happens When You Speak Up For Food Safety with Food Safety Icon Dr. Darin Detwiler and His Wife Gennette Zimmer | Episode 139

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

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