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Food Sleuth Radio

Latest episodes

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Mar 14, 2025 • 28min

Carol Cardona, PhD, DVM, discusses avian influenza risks and prevention strategies.

Did you know that H5 influenza (also called bird flu) will continue to spread into new species and threaten human lives? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Carol Cardona, Ph.D., DVM, Professor and Endowed Chair in Avian Health in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of MN – St. Paul.  Dr. Cardona discusses avian influenza, (popularly called “bird flu”) or H5N1, the spread to new species, risk to human health, vaccination, farm worker health, and the need to support public health agencies in their efforts to educate producers and consumers, and protect all species.Related Websites: https://vetmed.umn.edu/bio/college-of-veterinary-medicine/carol-cardona Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center: https://umash.umn.edu/hpai-toolkit/
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Mar 7, 2025 • 28min

Timothy Wise, MS, Tufts University, discusses GMO corn safety, trade tariffs and food sovereignty.

Did you know that Mexico is trying to protect their health and food sovereignty rights to reject US GMO corn exports for use in their corn tortillas? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Timothy Wise, MS, Senior Research Fellow at the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University, investigative journalist for U.S. Right to Know, and the author of Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food.  Wise discusses the impact of the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (formerly NAFTA) on Mexican food sovereignty and health, and the potential impacts of President Trump’s trade tariffs. He also discusses the scientific evidence Mexico has compiled showing real health concerns from consuming GMO corn.Related Websites: Health Concerns from GM crops: https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DOSSIER-MAIZ-2024-ENGfinal-5.pdf https://www.timothyawise.com/
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Feb 28, 2025 • 28min

Mackenzie Feldman, founder of Re:wild Your Campus discusses pesticides, cover crops, and food system change.

Did you know that whatever your interest, you can use it to make positive change in your community? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mackenzie Feldman, founder and co-director of Re:wild Your Campus, and co-author of Groundbakers: 60+ Plant-Based Comfort Food Recipes and 16 Leaders Changing the Food System. Feldman discusses her work to eliminate synthetic pesticides on campus grounds, her research on cover-crops, and her cookbook which includes recipes and empowering stories from food system leaders creating positive food system change.Related Websites: https://www.rewildyourcampus.org/ Ground Bakers: https://www.groundbakers.com/ Into the Weeds documentary: https://www.intotheweedsimpact.com/the-film Walking Softer: https://www.walkingsofter.org/ 
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Feb 21, 2025 • 28min

Sonja Eayrs, discusses her book, Dodge County Inc.: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America.

Did you know that industrialized hog farming has harmed rural communities and public health? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Sonja Eayrs, attorney, farm advocate and author of Dodge County Inc.: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America. Eayrs describes the corporatization of hog farming and the resulting wake of destruction, including fouled air and water, declining rural communities, harassment against those who speak out, and methods of corporate indoctrination.  Related Websites: https://www.sonjatromeayrs.com/
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Feb 13, 2025 • 28min

David Wiss, PhD, RD, discusses food’s role in mental health, disordered eating, and addiction recovery.

In this engaging conversation, David Wiss, an award-winning registered dietitian and nutrition pioneer, delves into the significant role of food in mental health and addiction recovery. He challenges the 'all foods can fit' philosophy, highlighting its potential pitfalls. Wiss argues that nutrition should be viewed as a social justice issue, especially for marginalized communities. He also discusses the effects of ultra-processed foods on mental health and the need for accountability in the food industry to foster better eating habits.
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Feb 7, 2025 • 28min

Mike Kostyo, MA, discusses food and societal trends for 2025.

Did you know that over 30 percent of consumers say most of their meals are eaten alone? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Mike Kostyo, MA, Vice President of Menu Matters, LLC, and “trendologist.” Kostyo will discuss food and societal trends for 2025, including flavor, travel, trade and GLP-1 drugs. Kostyo says one way to address our national epidemic of loneliness and disconnection is to share more meals with others, and he encourages us to enjoy new food experiences in 2025.Related Websites: https://menumatters.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrkostyo/
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Jan 31, 2025 • 28min

“Sioux Chef” Sean Sherman discusses colonization and his mission to revitalize Indigenous foodways.

Did you know that Chef Sean Sherman’s James Beard award-winning restaurant, Owamni, in Minneapolis, MN features decolonized foods? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Sean Sherman, a.k.a. the “Sioux Chef.” Chef Sherman discusses the meaning of colonization and describes his mission to develop and promote Indigenous foodways throughout North America.Related Websites: https://seansherman.com/ www.natifs.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OoJeZqmh8E
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Jan 24, 2025 • 28min

Kyla Bennett Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) discusses toxic PFAS chemicals.

Did you know that PFAS refers to a class of chemicals that are ubiquitous in our environment but pose significant health risks? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Kyla Bennett, PhD, JD, Director of Science Policy for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Bennet discusses the toxicity of PFAS, how and why they get into our water, soil, food and bodies, and ways to avoid and control exposure.Related Websites: Green Science Policy Institute: https://greensciencepolicy.org/harmful-chemicals/pfas/ https://peer.org/author/kyla-bennett/page/2/ Petition to EPA: https://peer.org/petition-tell-epa-to-get-pfas-out-of-pesticides/
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Jan 17, 2025 • 28min

Maine House Representative Bill Pluecker discusses PFAS contamination of farmland from sewage sludge/biosolids.

Did you know that sewage sludge or biosolids when applied to farmland can contaminate soil, water and food with PFAS? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Bill Pluecker, Maine House of Representatives, farmer and Public Policy organizer for the Main Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.  PFAS are a class of toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals.” Representative Pluecker will explain the impact of PFAS contamination on Maine farmers, responsible parties, ways to prevent further contamination and potential farmer compensation.Related Websites: https://barnraisingmedia.com/the-farm-bill-must-support-farmers-affected-by-pfas-contaminated-sewage-sludge/ https://civileats.com/2024/12/18/why-are-pesticide-companies-fighting-state-laws-to-address-pfas/ https://pfasproject.com/ www.mofga.org
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Jan 10, 2025 • 28min

Jacob Mey, PhD, RD, discusses diet and specific nutrients to boost our immune system during cold and flu season and beyond.

Did you know that specific nutrients can help aid our immune system in preventing and treating the symptoms of cold, flu and Covid 19?  Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Jacob Mey, PhD, RD,  Registered Dietitian and nutrition researcher at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, as they delve into the best diet and nutrition approaches to support our immune system through the cold and flu season and beyond. For resources from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center see: https://www.pbrc.edu/training-and-education/community-health-resources/Related Websites: The Role of Nutrition in Mitigating the Effects of COVID-19 from Infection through PASC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9961621/#B72-nutrients-15-00866 Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ImmuneFunction-HealthProfessional/ Too much zinc and copper deficiency: https://thewaitingroom.karger.com/knowledge-transfer/zinc-oversupplementation-and-copper-deficiency/ Emerging Nutrition Approaches to Support the Mind and Muscle for Healthy Aging: file:///C:/Users/Dan/Downloads/rpn.2204022.pdf

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