Soylent promised to be the food of the future. Instead, it faced bans, backlash and consumer rejection. In this episode we are going to dig into how hype, bad assumptions and regulatory missteps turned a bold idea into a cautionary tale.

References:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070723/

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/feb/05/before-soylent-brief-history-food-replacements

https://www.bevnet.com/brands/soylent/media/bdc01364b85f46dbade739dc25f715d2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soylent_(meal_replacement)

https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/m/maltodextrin.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459280/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK453140/

https://www.omri.org/maltodextrin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557845/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9370113/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22243-amino-acids

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0090825811009498

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32064970/

https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/STARCO-BRANDS-INC-120794786/news/Starco-Brands-Inc-acquired-Soylent-Nutrition-Inc-for-29-4-million-43079493/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/carbohydrate-chemistry&ved=2ahUKEwjOy9z9_pSPAxWImSYFHVV2NJEQFnoECCIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3QsIbFTzWrrHNvVrwgz6go

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In this episode, we delve into the Peanut Corporation of America scandal; an astonishing tale of corporate greed that compromised public safety. We explore the microbiological contaminants that infiltrated peanut products, leading to a nationwide outbreak that sickened over 700 people and tragically claimed the lives of 9 individuals.

Join us as we unpack the decisions made by the company executives, who prioritized profits at the expense of consumer safety, and examine the devastating consequences of their actions. We will highlight the critical lessons learned from this disaster, reminding us all of the importance of accountability in the food industry. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on how overlooking ethics for financial gain can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Reference:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6005411/

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-peanut-company-president-receives-largest-criminal-sentence-food-safety-case-two

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/02/peanut-corporation-of-america-from-inception-to-indictment-a-timeline/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329#

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3944507&page=1

https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma

In this episode, we unravel the fascinating history behind the term "snake oil salesman," beginning with the notorious Clark Stanley in the 1800s. We'll trace the evolution of this concept and explore the origins of the first regulations surrounding food and medicine in the United States.

Join us as we dive into the landscape of food and supplement regulations today and discuss how, even in our modern age, unethical marketers continue to sway consumers with disingenuous claims. Don't miss our valuable tips on how to protect yourself from falling victim to these tactics and ensure you make informed choices.

References:

https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-history/milestones-us-food-and-drug-law

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-5/subpart-F/section-5.88

https://ods.od.nih.gov/About/DSHEA_Wording.aspx

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2270237/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37998706/

https://newslit.org/educators/resources/in-brief-confirmation-bias-motivated-reasoning/#:~:text=Confirmation%20bias%20is%20an%20innate,don't%20fit%20their%20beliefs

https://www.social-marketing.com/post/making-fear-based-campaigns-work

https://achemistinlangley.net/2022/04/14/why-you-neednt-fear-the-dirty-dozen-fruits-and-vegetables/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/04/990427045111.htm#:~:text=A%20government%20funded%20study%20shows,%2Din%2C%20concludes%20the%20study

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9941276/