The sneaky way companies get new chemicals into our food
Summary
Planet Money investigates how a new food additive, TerraFlower, caused mass liver damage and gallbladder removals via the GRAS regulatory loophole. Host Sarah Gonzalez interviews victim Carol Reedy, attorney Bill Marler, and expert Melanie Benish to explain how companies bypass FDA safety reviews. The episode critiques the U.S. system’s reliance on self-certification over pre-market testing, highlighting the lack of accountability for manufacturers.
Topics discussed
Carol's mysterious illness and the Daily Harvest lentil outbreak
Introduction to food additives and the FDA's regulatory history
The 1958 Food Additives Amendment and the rise of processed foods
The GRAS loophole: self-certification vs. FDA approval
Secret GRAS and the TerraFlower ingredient scandal
Ad break: Schwab, Dell, Capella, and LinkedIn
Lawyer Bill Marler investigates the supply chain and finds TerraFlower
Lack of safety studies and accountability in the food industry
Proposed reforms and the danger of long-term additive risks
Carol's lasting health effects and the settlement outcome
Credits and closing advertisements
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