Show Notes
This episode explores how concerns about the safety of our food supply are far from new. Hosts Corinne Furnari and Carol Petersen look back at the groundbreaking work of Dr. Harvey Wiley and his famous “Poison Squad,” along with the public impact of The Jungle, which helped expose dangerous practices in the food industry and ultimately contributed to the creation of America’s first federal food safety laws. The conversation then shifts to the modern food system and the growing concerns surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic additives, chemical exposure, and emerging food technologies. The hosts question whether today’s regulatory system provides enough long-term safety testing and transparency before new ingredients and technologies become part of the food supply. Listeners also join the discussion, raising concerns about corporate accountability, contamination affecting organic farms, food labeling, and consumers’ ability to know exactly what they are buying and feeding their families. The episode highlights the value of supporting local farmers and farmers’ markets while examining how difficult it can be for consumers to navigate an increasingly complex food system. Ultimately, The Poison on Our Plate is a conversation about transparency, informed choice, and consumer advocacy—and why understanding where our food comes from may be just as important today as it was more than a century ago.
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