Don't Eat Poop! A Food Safety Podcast

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• Food Safety as an Investment: Inside the 2026 Food Safety Consortium with Rick Biros | Episode 173 30.06.2026 35min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.Rick Biros, founder of Food Safety Tech and the Food Safety Consortium, is back with our hosts Matt and Francine to make the case that food safety needs a new narrative — one built on ROI and recognition instead of checkbox culture, with buy-in that has to reach all the way up to the C-suite.This episode of Don't Eat Poop! previews what's new at the 2026 Food Safety Consortium: a storytellers panel with Francine and Darin Detwiler, a brand-new award for food safety teams that can prove their bottom-line impact, and an update on the growing Women in Food Safety community.In this episode:00:00:00 Abstract Submissions for the Food Safety Consortium00:03:55 Storytelling as a Food Safety Leadership Tool00:07:04 The Real Food Safety Culture Challenge00:12:19 The ROI of Food Safety00:21:04 Introducing the Food Safety Tech Excellence Award00:26:12 Women in Food Safety: Mentorship & GrowthDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeUse the discount code POOP for 25% off your ticket to the 2026 Food Safety Consortium.Enter the new Food Safety Tech Excellence Award at foodsafetytech.com Take a look at our previous episodes with Rick:Behind the Scenes of the Food Safety Consortium: Curation, Speakers & 15 Years of Evolution with Rick Biros from Food Safety Tech | Episode 17015 Years of Food Safety Tech: Food Safety Compliance vs Reality with Rick Biros | Episode 161Behind the Scenes at the Food Safety Consortium with Rick Biros: Conference Culture, Compliance & Community | Episode 123Noteworthy quotes from this episode“As a food safety community, we have to start changing the narrative about food safety. This is not just about compliance. Compliance should be the bare minimum. That's not what you shoot for. That's the floor. That should be expected.” – Rick BirosWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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_______
• World Cup Food Safety: 10 Million Visitors & 28 Health Inspectors | Episode 172 23.06.2026 42min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.The FIFA World Cup is coming to Atlanta, and with it, up to 10 million visitors, thousands of temporary food vendors, and a food safety infrastructure that is already stretched thin.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, Francine and Matt pull apart the logistics of feeding a city-sized surge of international fans, from inspecting pop-up tents in 100-degree heat to the very real norovirus scenario that could turn one food truck into a multi-city outbreak. When you pack 10 million people into a city with 28 health inspectors on the clock, something is going to fall through the cracks — the question is how much.In this episode:00:00:00 World Cup in Atlanta: The Numbers00:09:25 Atlanta Health Inspectors’ Impossible Workload00:16:01 Potential Novovirus Scenarios00:17:59 Temperature Control and Food Safety Blind Spots00:25:27 The Reality of Food Safety Inspections00:28:42 Approved Vendors and Traceability00:37:39 Atlanta is Preparing for the World CupDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the article we’re talking about in this episode: Atlanta health inspectors prepare restaurants and vendors for World Cup crowdsNoteworthy quotes from this episode“ Moral of the story is do not be a jerk to your health inspector.” – Matt Regusci“The volume of people is one thing. [...] So now they've got to inspect all these temporary vendors that are gonna come in to be permitted for the World Cup.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• GRAS Additives, the FRESH Act & the Fight Over Food Safety Authority | Episode 171 16.06.2026 33min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.The federal government has a plan to overhaul how food chemicals are regulated in America, but the states got there first. In Episode 171 of Don't Eat Poop!, Matt and Francine dig into Dr. David Acheson's opinion piece on who should own authority over GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) additives, and whether the proposed FRESH Act is a real solution or just another Band-Aid on a broken system.From California's Prop 65 to a patchwork of 50 different state regulations, the episode unpacks why consistency matters and why trusting the federal government to deliver it is easier said than done.Spoiler alert: If the feds can't get it done, third-party certifications will fill the gap. And that's not necessarily the win consumers are hoping for.In this episode:00:00:00 Dr. David Acheson: Who Should Own GRAS Authority?00:07:07 Patchwork Regulation Fails Manufacturers00:15:55 State vs. Federal Departments00:20:00 The FRESH Act & Federal Preemption00:22:21 The Organic Certification Parallel00:26:52 MAHA & Food Safety PoliticsDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the article we discussed in this episode: GRAS, additives, chemicals: Who should hold the authority? By Dr. David AchesonFood Safety Compliance Chaos: FDA Redactions, Conflicts of Interest & Mango Mayhem | Episode 165Noteworthy quotes from this episode“ If Clean Label Project ceased to exist because the federal government did their job really, really well, that would be our goal.” – Matt Regusci“Certifications have become so watered down. They don't mean what they once did.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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_______
• Behind the Scenes of the Food Safety Consortium: Curation, Speakers & 15 Years of Evolution with Rick Biros from Food Safety Tech | Episode 170 09.06.2026 34min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.Most conferences just recycle the same speakers on the same topics every year. Food Safety Consortium is trying to do something different, and the process behind it is more rigorous than you might expect.In this episode of Don't Eat Poop!, Matt and Francine sit down with Rick Biros, founder of Food Safety Consortium and Food Safety Tech, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a food safety conference worth attending. From the call for abstracts to curating diverse panels to scoring speaker submissions on educational value, this is the insider scoop most attendees never get.Spoiler alert: Great food safety conferences don't happen by accident.In this episode:00:00:00 What Makes the Food Safety Consortium Stand Out00:06:42 Consortium vs. Food Safety Hazards00:08:29 The Role of Policy in Food Safety Topics Covered00:10:25 Speaker Selection: Abstracts, Scoring, Curation00:16:32 The Submission Numbers00:18:25 Preview: A Global Food Safety Audit Study00:23:22 How Different Learning Styles Shape Conference Programming00:27:19 Rick on Life Outside the Food Safety Conference WorldDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeConnect with Rick Biros here.Take a look at our previous episodes with Rick:Behind the Scenes at the Food Safety Consortium with Rick Biros: Conference Culture, Compliance & Community | Episode 12315 Years of Food Safety Tech: Food Safety Compliance vs Reality with Rick Biros | Episode 161Use code POOP for 25% off registration for the Food Safety Consortium.Noteworthy quotes from this episode“How do we go to food safety conferences with the first word food and get such awful food? [...] We take great pride in serving good food.” – Rick BirosWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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_______
• Retail & Meal Delivery Food Safety Fails with Michelle Wollenzien from The Food Safety Exchange Podcast | Episode 169 02.06.2026 48min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.Food safety failures don’t always start with massive outbreaks or nationwide recalls. Sometimes, they start with a bowl of homemade gumbo sitting in a grocery store display case.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine sit down with food safety consultant and Food Safety Exchange host Michelle Wollenzien to unpack decades of retail food safety experience, convenience food risks, meal delivery disasters, food safety culture breakdowns, and why technology is moving faster than food safety compliance.From improperly reheated meal kits to mystery gumbo in a self-service case, this episode dives deep into the real-world chaos happening behind the scenes of prepared foods, retail grocery operations, airline catering, and modern food delivery systems.In this episode:00:00:00 Meet Food Safety Expert Michelle Wollenzien00:08:02 Convenience Food Safety Risks00:14:30 The Homemade Gumbo Food Safety Incident00:20:08 Foodborne Illness Investigations & Determining Liability00:25:22 Food Safety Culture Is Dividing Companies00:29:27 Technology Is Outpacing Food Safety Systems00:33:16 Labour Shortages in Retail Systems00:39:19 Food Safety Lessons from Living in MexicoDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeConnect with Michelle here. Take a look at our LinkedIn Live with Michelle here.Check out our episodes with Roger Hancock:Creating a Recall-Ready Food Safety Industry | Episode 42How the FDA Wants YOU to Fix Food Safety Recalls with Roger Hancock, CEO of Recall InfoLink | Episode 126Noteworthy quotes from this episode“I am all on board with your innovation, great ideas, feeding the public, making it a near restaurant experience, being able to take this prepared food home or have it delivered, or however you choose to do it. But we have to keep in mind our consumers.” – Michelle WollenzienWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• “Not for Human Consumption” Raw Chocolate Milk Controversy | Episode 168 26.05.2026 26min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine dive headfirst into one of the strangest raw milk controversies they’ve seen yet: a Florida dairy selling expensive raw chocolate milk labeled as livestock feed while clearly marketing it to humans.The hosts unpack the food safety, legal liability, and public health implications behind the “pet food loophole” that many raw milk sellers appear to use. The conversation covers everything from Listeria and E. coli risks in raw dairy to whether warning labels actually protect companies from lawsuits.Along the way, Matt and Francine ask the question nobody expected to ask in 2026: Who exactly is buying $15 chocolate milk for livestock?In this episode:00:00:00 Raw Chocolate Milk Labeled “Not for Human Consumption”00:09:03 Florida Raw Milk Labeling Loophole00:11:34 Does a Warning Label Protect Companies from Food Safety Lawsuits?00:18:36 Contamination Risks in Dairy OperationsDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the TikTok we’re talking about in this episode from creator Emmy Makela: https://www.tiktok.com/@emsthegirl/video/7629027231888575774?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7608973359876458015 Noteworthy quotes from this episode“Anybody who has livestock knows that they are not providing their livestock with $14.99 half a gallon milk jugs that also have chocolate in them.” – Matt Regusci“I wonder how many people are buying products that say not for human consumption and don't even realize it.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Cantaloupe Recalls, Norovirus Nightmares & the Food Safety Chemical Nobody’s Talking About | Episode 167 19.05.2026 39min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.Another cantaloupe recall. Another round of questions about why the food industry keeps making the same mistakes — and whether the tools to fix them are already sitting on the shelf, ignored.In this episode of Don't Eat Poop!, Francine and Matt dig into a Salmonella cantaloupe recall, the science of why cantaloupes are such a high-risk product, and a sanitizer that's been EPA- and FDA-approved for years but still can't get traction in the industry. Plus: Francine's heading to the Food Safety Summit to talk norovirus in retail, and the stories from the field are exactly what you'd expect from Don’t Eat Poop.Spoiler alert: The solutions often exist. The problem is getting a risk-averse, relationship-driven industry to actually use them.In this episode:00:00:00 Novovirus in Retail00:06:57 Cantaloupe Salmonella Recall Breakdown00:11:58 Hypochlorous Acid: The Sanitizer the Industry is Ignoring00:19:04 Chemical Distribution & Conflict of Interest00:30:25 Norovirus Incidents in Grocery StoresDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeIs It Time for a “Kill Step” for Pathogens on Produce at Retail? By Eric Moorman and Hal KingNoteworthy quotes from this episode“You can't really sanitize or get rid of all the potential pathogens on the outside of a cantaloupe because of the webbed outside.” – Matt Regusci“There's something out there that works that nobody's talking about, and there's such a resistance to this product.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Biogenic Amines in Chicken: The Real Risk from Cold Chain Failures | Episode 166 12.05.2026 22min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.If you thought chicken was the “safe” option on the menu, this episode of Don’t Eat Poop! might ruffle your feathers. Matt and Francine dig into a bizarre (and under-the-radar) food safety incident out of Spain, where children developed allergic-like reactions not from allergens, but from biogenic amines formed due to poor cold chain management. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in restaurant food safety, food safety training, or navigating food safety regulations. We break down the science, the risks, and what this means for foodborne illness prevention worldwide.In this episode:00:00:00 Get to Know Your Food Safety Podcast Hosts00:11:00 Biogenic Amine Outbreak in Spain00:14:47 Poor Cold Chain Management in Foodservice00:17:56 Why Symptoms Looked Like Allergies00:21:10 Temperature Control MattersDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the articles mentioned in this episode:Spanish scientists investigate outbreaks affecting childrenReport of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) on the risk of food poisoning due to the presence of biogenic amines in meals made from chicken meat consumed by children under 3 years of ageNoteworthy quotes from this episode“This is a food safety issue that can happen with a break in the cold chain.” – Matt Regusci“ Spoiled-smelling meat is not the only concern. Not all bad meat stinks.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Food Safety Compliance Chaos: FDA Redactions, Conflicts of Interest & Mango Mayhem | Episode 165 05.05.2026 28min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.What do mangoes, government redactions, and conspiracy-level blacked-out reports have in common? In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, Matt and Francine peel back the layers (and redact absolutely nothing) on a bizarre FDA Salmonella mango investigation that’s about as useful as a blank HACCP plan.From laughably censored outbreak reports to serious concerns about food safety compliance, conflicts of interest, and transparency failures, this episode dives deep into the cracks in our food safety systems. If you’ve ever wondered how the industry is supposed to improve when critical data is hidden, or how advisory committees operate without clear disclosure rules, this one’s for you.Spoiler alert: You can’t fix what you can’t see. And right now? There’s a lot we’re not seeing.In this episode:00:00:00 Food Safety Podcast Recap00:08:22 Redacted FDA Salmonella Mango Report00:13:04 FDA Conflict of Interest Failures00:20:42 Still No FDA Conflict-of-interest Policy00:23:01 Real Accountability in Food Safety RegulationsDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the articles we discuss in this episode:Why does a FDA Salmonella Mango Report look like a page out of the Epstein Files?GAO says FDA needs to give attention to conflict of interest policiesCheck out our episode with Rick Biros: 15 Years of Food Safety Tech: Food Safety Compliance vs Reality with Rick Biros | Episode 161Noteworthy quotes from this episode“The files for the FDA look similar to the Epstein files, and the GAO is asking FDA, whatcha gonna do about conflicts of interest?” – Matt Regusci“This is like policies and procedures. If you're not gonna implement them, don't write them.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Undeclared Ingredients & Food Fraud: When Chocolate Gets Dangerous (Food Safety Compliance Breakdown) | Episode 164 28.04.2026 23min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.What happens when your sweet treat doubles as a pharmaceutical experiment? In this wildly bizarre (but very real) episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine unwrap a shocking chocolate recall involving undeclared active drug ingredients. This episode explores the intersection of food safety compliance, food fraud, and the risks of buying “mystery” products online. It’s funny, it’s alarming, and it’s a crystal-clear reminder that when it comes to food safety regulations, you really don’t know what you’re getting unless proper controls are in place.In this episode:00:00:00 “Aphrodisiac Chocolate” Recalled00:04:36 Health Risks Explained00:09:09 Undeclared Substances in Supplements and Sports Products00:14:17 Food Fraud and Dosage ConfusionDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeCheck out the article we’re talking about in this episode: Chocolate products recalled because of undeclared male enhancement drugsHave a listen to the episodes we mentioned in this episode:Insects & Lab-Grown Meat: The Future of Food Safety Compliance | Episode 160The Celsius Recall and the Risks of Finding Alcohol in Non-Alcoholic Beverages | Episode 132Noteworthy quotes from this episode“There's so many things that are wrong with this because you're consuming a drug disguised as a candy and you don't know the dosage.” – Matt Regusci“Most people don't understand that a lot of that stuff is not FDA-approved. They assume because they can buy it, it's safe.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Botulism from Fermented Fish: The Hidden Risks of Gut Health Trends | Episode 163 21.04.2026 25min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this eye-opening (and slightly stomach-turning) episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine dive headfirst into a real-life case of botulism caused by fermented fish and why “gut health trends” can go dangerously wrong.What started as a health-conscious bite of fermented “swordfish” turned into a near-death experience for a 24-year-old woman, highlighting critical gaps in foodborne illness prevention and consumer awareness.From ancient food preservation methods to modern-day food safety compliance, this episode explores how traditional practices can clash with today’s expectations and why HACCP principles aren’t just for professionals anymore.Spoiler: if it smells like death, maybe don’t eat it.In this episode:00:00:00 Botulism from Homemade Fermented Swordfish00:04:05 Escalating Symptoms: Difficulty Swallowing, Paralysis00:07:00 What Fermented “Swordfish” Actually Is00:12:24 Cultural Food and Food Safety00:19:15 Safe Alternatives for Gut HealthDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeFood Safety Compliance in Home Kitchens: The Hidden Risks of Social Media Food Businesses | Episode 162How to Clean Your Refrigerator Properly: This is Food Safety at Home | Episode 159Noteworthy quotes from this episode“If your choices are occasionally getting foodborne illness or starving to death, I will choose the former over the latter, but if I'm not starving, I'm not going to choose option number one.” – Matt Regusci“There are people who, if they do live, they don't completely recover from botulism. You live with lifelong ramifications from this illness.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Food Safety Compliance in Home Kitchens: The Hidden Risks of Social Media Food Businesses | Episode 162 14.04.2026 21min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.If you’ve ever been tempted by homemade dumplings on Facebook Marketplace or the viral “pink sauce” on TikTok, this episode might make you pause mid-scroll. In this eye-opening (and slightly terrifying) episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine dig into the booming world of home-based food businesses and the massive food safety compliance gaps lurking behind those mouthwatering posts. From underground meal prep hustles to kids selling home-cooked food at school, this episode blends humor with hard truths about food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and the real risks of buying food from strangers online.In this episode:00:00:00 Buying Unregulated Food From Facebook Marketplace00:06:58 Knowing Your Food Source Matters00:08:58 Dutch Home Caterer Survey Shocker00:13:10 Food Safety on Social MediaDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the Food Safety News article we discussed in this episode: Home-based cooks lack awareness of food safety rulesNoteworthy quotes from this episode“There are regulations, but if the entrepreneurs don't know that there are regulations and are just operating under the radar, then there aren't regulations.” – Matt Regusci“So many people assume if you can buy it, it's safe.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• 15 Years of Food Safety Tech: Food Safety Compliance vs Reality with Rick Biros | Episode 161 07.04.2026 47min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine welcome industry veteran Rick Biros to talk about 15 years of Food Safety Tech and the Food Safety Consortium. We also get the chance to hear about Rick's new upcoming conference, Food Safety Hazards.From cockroach-laced product horror stories (yes, really) to a deep dive into 15 years of industry evolution in food safety regulations, we unpack one of the most uncomfortable truths in food safety compliance: just because you’re “within compliance” doesn’t mean your food is safe. It’s clear that the industry still has a long way to go in truly protecting consumers.In this episode:00:00:00 15 Years of Food Safety Tech00:10:46 FSMA Success Debate00:15:35 Food Safety Culture Isn’t New00:22:37 Benchmarking and Metrics00:25:59 New Food Safety Hazards Conference00:35:54 The Broken U.S. Food Safety SystemDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeConnect with Rick here.Use the discount code poop for a 25% discount at the Food Safety Hazards Conference 2026 (April 20-22) and the Food Safety Consortium (October 23-26).Take a look at the white paper we discussed in this episode: Integrating the Fragmented United States Federal Food Safety System into a Food Protection SystemRead the article Rick mentioned at the end of this episode: Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 in Raw Cheddar Cheese. Was it from RAW FARM or Not??Listen to our previous conversations with Rick:Behind the Scenes at the Food Safety Consortium with Rick Biros: Conference Culture, Compliance & Community | Episode 123Noteworthy quotes from this episode“Where this industry needs to go is to turn food safety and quality into a financial benefit to food and beverage companies.” – Rick BirosWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Insects & Lab-Grown Meat: The Future of Food Safety Compliance | Episode 160 31.03.2026 27min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine dig into the rising trend of edible insects and lab-grown meat, and what it means for food safety compliance, foodborne illness prevention, and regulatory frameworks.From cricket protein powder to 3D-printed steak, this isn’t sci-fi anymore—it’s on your dinner plate. But are regulators ready? Are you ready? And most importantly, what happens when something goes wrong in a sterile lab environment?Let’s just say: this episode gets crunchy.In this episode:00:00:00 Insect Protein and Lab-Grown Meat00:08:57 Global Food Safety Regulation Challenges00:13:05 Facebook Marketplace Food Sales00:19:15 Consumer Trust Issues00:22:28 Future Food Trends and ConcernsDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeTake a look at the Food Safety News article we’re talking about today: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/03/insects-and-cell-based-food-on-radar-of-food-regulators/ Noteworthy quotes from this episode“Say this does get to a point at which we figure out how to scale printing meat in a lab and it tastes just like meat, what food safety risks come from that in the future? I guess to be determined.” – Matt Regusci I can't imagine thinking I'm craving a cicada. I'm craving a chocolate-covered cockroach today.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Food Safety at Home: Cleaning Your Refrigerator Without Growing Science Experiments | Episode 159 24.03.2026 35min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.If your fridge could talk, would it confess to crimes against food safety? In this hilariously relatable episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine tackle a topic every food safety professional knows, but many still neglect at home: cleaning out the refrigerator. From expired blue cheese dressing with a personality of its own to mystery leftovers that defy identification, this episode dives into food safety compliance at home, proper storage habits, and the real risks of ignoring expiration dates.Spoiler: your condiments are probably guilty.In this episode:00:00:00 Deep Cleaning Your Refrigerator00:04:59 The Hidden Danger of Condiments00:14:43 Safe Thawing Practices00:23:46 FIFO: First In, First Out00:27:26 Fridge Sanitation SchedulesDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Noteworthy quotes from this episode“ When you're cleaning out leftovers, and your question isn't, 'What is this?’ but ‘What was this?’ that’s not good.” – Matt Regusci“ Folks, it's time to clean out your refrigerator and get rid of those condiments from last summer. Get rid of them!” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Food Safety Inspections Explained with Steven Mandernach from AFDO | Episode 158 17.03.2026 1godz 3min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.Food safety regulations can sometimes feel like a bureaucratic maze, but behind the scenes, regulators, inspectors, and food businesses are all trying to accomplish the same thing: keeping people from getting sick.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine sit down with Steven Mandernach from AFDO (the Association of Food and Drug Officials) to unpack the complex world of food safety inspections, regulatory collaboration, and the future of food safety compliance.From government shutdowns affecting inspectors to the evolving relationship between state regulators, the FDA, and food businesses, the conversation dives deep into how the system really works and where it could work better.In this episode:00:00:00 The AFDO, FDA, and USDA00:06:27 Food Code Interpretation Gaps00:11:12 Food Facility Inspection Realities00:22:07 Industry and Regulator Partnerships00:34:32 Food Safety Workforce Challenges00:47:02 Compensation And Staffing00:51:38 The Role of Lawyers in Food SafetyDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeConnect with Steven here.Listen to our last conversation with Steven:Rethinking How Things Are Done to Solve Food Safety Problems with Steven Mandernach from AFDO | Episode 90Noteworthy quotes from this episode“I'm not sure it's a science major. I think we could find someone with critical thinking skills, good time management, and who communicates well, and I could turn them into a good food safety inspector.” – Steven MandernachWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• The Leadership Skills Your HACCP Plan Is Missing with Tia Glave from Catalyst Food Leaders | Episode 157 10.03.2026 30min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine sit down with leadership powerhouse Tia Glave, co-founder of Catalyst Food Leaders, to discuss the one thing most food safety professionals overlook: culture and behavior change.If your HACCP plan is flawless but your team still rolls their eyes at food safety training, this episode is for you.Because here’s the hard truth: food safety compliance isn’t a paperwork problem. It’s a people problem.Recorded at the Food Safety Consortium, Tia explains why technical brilliance won’t move your organization forward unless you can explain the why in a way that actually resonates, from preventing foreign material contamination to navigating food safety audits for foodservice.In this episode:00:00:00 Why Culture Drives Food Safety00:05:17 Behavior Change Takes Time00:11:46 Connecting To Personal Values00:19:01 Budgets, Strategy, And Buy-In00:27:57 Traceability And Change ManagementDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeConnect with Tia here. Past episodes with Tia:Food Safety Talk with Tia Glave and Jill Stuber from Catalyst | Episode 36Food Safety Voices: Communicating Effectively in Challenging Times (LinkedIn Live) | Episode 106Noteworthy quotes from this episode“I don't need to be the voice of food safety culture as a food safety professional. Everyone knows I care about it. I need that maintenance tech to be talking about it. I need the finance team to be talking about it in a meeting. I need someone else who I didn't even know heard me to be talking about it in their circles. That's what we need. We need that commitment, and you get it through connecting to their values.” – Tia GlaveWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Norovirus Hits the Winter Olympics Again | Episode 156 03.03.2026 32min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are discussing Francine's favorite virus: Norovirus. It's no surprise this foodborne illness made an appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and it's also no surprise that our hosts had a thing or two to say about this super spreader event.Tune in for some laughs, a shortage of condoms, all you need to know about the super bug that is Norovirus, and more.In this episode:0:00:00 Matt's life fostering medically fragile kids0:07:05 Olympics + free condoms = more Norovirus?0:14:53 The Poop Cruise: the cruiseship from hell0:18:26 The science behind the spread of Norovirus 0:26:37 Francine's Norovirus outbreak care packagesDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeWatch Trainwreck: Poop Cruise.Catch up with Episode 152, where we talk about the economics of foodborne illnesses.Read The Conversation article Matt and Francine refer to in this episode.Noteworthy quotes from this episode“ Norovirus is like a super bug, man. It has good survival skills. I gotta hand it to Norovirus. It is a maximum survivalist. So, making sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water is essential.” – Matt Regusci“ 2,800 athletes were there the first week. Now, they've been handing out these free condoms since 1988, and I wonder if there's a correlation between the close contact and the Norovirus.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Happy 3 Year Anniversary! Let's Celebrate with Good Old Dishwasher Food Safety | Episode 155 24.02.2026 31min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are celebrating the podcast's 3 Year Anniversary with a blast from the past: the salmon in the dishwasher, the podcast's first inside joke.If you've been listening for a while, you probably know that cooking your salmon in the dishwasher is a BAD idea. Now, tune in to discover all the other things that people put in their dishwashers and what experts have to say about it.Thank you for listening, and here’s to another year of the Don’t Eat Poop! Podcast.In this episode:0:00:00 A party trick for your Super Bowl watch party0:07:18 Why cooking in a dishwasher is a BAD idea0:15:36 Part 1: Strangest things put in dishwashers0:19:07 Questionable ways to thaw poultry and more0:23:56 Part 2: Strangest things put in dishwashersDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeCatch up with our "fun" episode from a couple of weeks ago, Episode 153.Watch the Netflix series about the Australian lady who killed in-laws with Beef Wellington.Learn more about Norovirus at the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics on this LinkedIn post by Francine.Find the full Consumer Reports Matt and Francine are referring to here.Check out Francine’s book Who Watches the Kitchen? for more crazy stories people shared during training. Noteworthy quotes from this episode“ Appliances are designed to perform specific tasks quickly and efficiently, so take advice from the people who make the dishwashers and leave [the food] to the cooking ranges and ovens. Amen.” – Matt Regusci“ When I was training, I had people tell me that they thawed their poultry in the dryer. Can you imagine a turkey tumbling in your clothing dryer?” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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
• Training Failures of The Food Safety Industry | Episode 154 17.02.2026 31min

  🍽️ 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 and Matt on LinkedIn for more food safety insights and updates.In this episode of Don’t Eat Poop!, our hosts Matt and Francine are highlighting Azure Edwards's latest opinion piece on Food Safety News, "The food industry’s training problem is the system it keeps paying for".She raises crucial points that our hosts have also been talking about for a while, such as the importance of having a strong food safety culture, the real financial impact of weak training and systems, how audits and certifications are not enough, and more.In this episode:0:00:00 The food safety industry's training failures0:08:45 How food safety culture weakens under pressure0:14:14 What is missing from food safety training 0:18:05 The risks of transactional food safety0:20:19 What makes a company successful long-term0:27:03 The real importance of ethics and integrityDisclaimer: Episode title and content do not constitute legal or health advice.Resources from this episodeRead the Food Safety News opinion piece by Azure Edwards that Matt and Francine refer to in this episode.For a look into the real cost of food safety failures, catch up with Episode 152.Noteworthy quotes from this episode“ I love that she uses the temporary workers and the seasonal workers as a stress test for your food safety culture. If there's an issue with your facility during these peak times, it's not your seasonal and temporary workers that are the issue. It's your systems that are the issue.” – Matt Regusci“ I've always said the one thing that nobody can take from you is integrity. You do that yourself.” – Francine L ShawWe 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, Matt, and the "Don't Eat Poop!" show on LinkedIn!📕 Check out Francine's book Who Watches the Kitchen?🎙️ BE A GUEST ON DON’T EAT POOP!Fill out this form 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