Big Lettuce meets Small Intestine
Summary
This episode investigates the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce, exploring the rise of industrialized "big lettuce" and the evolution of FDA food safety regulations. Hosts interview former FDA rulewriter Jim Gorney and Taylor Farms executive Joe Pizzini about the challenges of regulating vast supply chains. They discuss how bagged salads amplified contamination risks and why outbreaks persist despite new rules, citing limited resources, complex science, and difficulties in inspecting foreign farms.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Diarrhea Summer and the Cyclospora outbreak
Sponsors: Odoo, Capital One, and Superhuman
The rise of lettuce as America's second favorite vegetable
The bagged salad revolution and the dominance of Taylor Farms
Industrialization and the increase in foodborne illness outbreaks
The 2006 spinach outbreak and the FDA's regulatory blind spot
Writing the Produce Safety Rule and the 'poop rule'
Sponsors: Cook Unity, Odoo, and Rippling
Why outbreaks persist: FDA resource limits and foreign inspections
Scientific mysteries and the low probability of getting sick
Outro, credits, and NPR program promotions
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