Filtering by Tag: Chipotle

Food Safety Talk 210: Liberty-Dibbities

Added on April 28, 2020 by Don Schaffner.

The show starts with Don asking Ben to help with some questions from a reporter about disinfectant wipes. After a brief digression into bacon maple jam safety, the guys segue to the risks of using fruit ripener as hand sanitizer, and from there into the risks of re-opening the economy and how to manage them. Don reads from an email message about why Taiwan has not shut down it's economy, and from there recommends a new podcast, while Ben recommends a Netflix show. They both recommend the recent SNL cold open with Brad Pitt as Dr. Anthony Fauci. Ben talks about his chickens, while Don talks about loose sheep. The discussion turns to the risk of COVID-19 in food processing plants and from wet markets, as well as the possible origins of SARS-CoV-2. After a chat about biosafety labs and the risks of accidental release, Ben asked Don about the recent $25 million fine of Chipotle before the guys wrap up the show.

Food Safety Talk 162: FST Bolo Ties

Added on August 20, 2018 by Don Schaffner.

The show opens with a bit of discussion about other podcasts, but quickly moves to the main subject at hand: a recent study on the increased isopropanol tolerance of certain bacteria found in hospitals. The guys weigh in on the strengths and weaknesses of the study, including it's relevance to food safety, with some help via listener feedback. The next topic is Chipotle's recent problem with Clostridium perfringens in their beans. The guys introduce a new segment on Canadian foods, before moving to listener feedback on fermented foods, CSPI, and thermometer calibration, times and temperatures, food dehydrators, handwashing, and double gloving. The show ends with a discussion of a recent cookbook recall.

Food Safety Talk 104: Shorter Stacks!

Added on July 8, 2016 by Don Schaffner.

Show notes so you can follow along at home:

Food Safety Talk 98: Klouty with a chance of meatballs

Added on April 11, 2016 by Don Schaffner.

This week Don and Ben open with the usual popular culture talk and then move into a discussion of Norovirus laden couches, Chipotle (again), and the safety of petting zoos. From there the discussion moves to lady balls, duck sliders, balls to the wall, and Blue Bell Ice Cream. The After Dark features more cowbell.

Below are some links to some of the things that they talked about:

Food Safety Talk 92: So we can't use that rice?

Added on March 4, 2016 by Don Schaffner.

Ben begins the podcast by praising Everything Zen. He then recounted an incident where he dropped the iPhone in the toilet and discovered that it was not waterproof. The conversation continues with talk about family vacations, The Wire, Making a Murderer, Jessica Jones, The Affair, Death in Paradise, and Star Wars. The guys reminisce about Food Safety Talk 85, (I am the Jerky Police) as Ben talks about a Beef Jerky outlet near his house.

The guys talk about Chipotle (again) and FDA’s report that two Chipotle outbreaks were linked to two different strains of E. coli O26. Don predicts at least one more Chipotle-related outbreak in 2016, while Ben predicts zero. The guys weigh in on claims that Chipotle was a victim of cooperate sabotage in retaliation for their anti-GMO menu. The guys also offer their thoughts on Chipotle’s decision to fire Norovirus infected employees and managers. Ben thinks that both the Chipotle outbreak and the recent Blue Bell incident are learning opportunities on what not to do.

The discussion turns to a recent paper by Larry Beuchat on the survival of Salmonella in cookies and cracker sandwiches, as well as an older paper by Scheinberg and others on the pathogens in poultry in farmers markets.

They conclude with a discussion on science communication.

Food Safety Talk 88: Canadian Halloween

Added on February 18, 2016 by Don Schaffner.

The podcast begins with Ben complaining about the clutter in his office, and Don about his downgraded airline membership status (unlike Ben who became a gold member in Delta airline after his trip to Dubai for the International Food Safety Conference).

The show starts with a listener question about the shelf life of candy, which is shelf stable from a microbiological perspective because of a low water activity. Don and Ben go on to bond over their love of Brigadeiro from Brazil.

The talk moves to a recent WHO report on processed meats, cancer and the guys discuss poor risk communication from the WHO.

Ben brings up a recent MMWR article about an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was linked to a farming educational event. This prompts Don to talk about the NY Sheep and Wool festival where he did not find any hand washing stations.

Don spoke about his talk at the Produce Marketing Association in Atlanta, GA and his trip to Wegmans where he noticed the caramel coated apples were refrigerated and maintained at 40 °F. This was likely due to the 2014 multistate listeriosis outbreaks linked to the consumption of caramel apples. Ben shares that Kroger simply chose to not carry caramel apples which some called a bad knee-jerk reaction to good research.

The final topic of the show was Chipotle’s decision to close 43 restaurants in the midst of an E. coli outbreak, although some restaurants have been less than clear about the reason they closed.

The podcast ends with reading listener mail.