Food safety expert Jeff Nelken has 35 years of experience in the hospitality and food safety field. In the first half, he shed light on the growing concerns surrounding food recalls and safety protocols. He noted that about a third of food recalls are linked to undeclared allergens, putting vulnerable consumers at risk. He also pointed out the influence of the chemical and food industries on the FDA, suggesting that the US often lags behind Europe in food safety regulations. Reporting on the complexities introduced by global food sourcing, he recounted the troubling 2007 occurrence when pet food from China turned out to be contaminated with melamine, resulting in thousands of pet deaths.
Addressing food allergies, he revealed that around 30 million Americans are affected, with reactions ranging from mild to life-threatening anaphylaxis. He urged restaurants to take food allergies seriously, and for customers to make their concerns known. In discussing listeria, Nelken described it as an "opportunistic bacteria," noting that a past investigation involving a commissary that supplied food to airlines found that 10% of the swabs tested positive for listeria. At home, listeria can thrive in hidden, neglected areas of kitchens, he said, emphasizing the importance of proper sanitation in food preparation environments.
Nelken also touched on common misconceptions about foodborne illnesses, explaining that symptoms typically manifest two to four hours after consumption, not within minutes as some might think. He encouraged homeowners to invest in thermometers for their refrigerators, stating, "You really need to know that your refrigerator is maintaining 40 degrees or below."
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In the latter half, researcher, novelist, and Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies, Stafford Betty shared his lifelong fascination with the concept of an afterlife. Arguing that "the evidence is simply overwhelming that there is an afterlife," he noted that while many educated individuals tend to dismiss spiritual concepts, those who have had near-death experiences often emerge as firm believers. The conversation also touched on terminal lucidity, where dying individuals briefly regain clarity before death, even if they have been in a near-vegetative state. "It suggests to me that...the person has actually loosened herself from that dead or dying brain and is able to communicate without being blocked by that unfortunate instrument. So it's an indication that we're capable of leaving our body, leaving our brain, and operating perfectly well," he stated.
He also discussed the nature of ghosts, noting that many cultures recognize their existence. "About half of Americans do believe in ghosts," he said, adding that these spirits often remain earthbound due to unresolved issues from their lives. Sharing his insights into the complex world of spirits, the author revealed he is currently penning a novel about the darker aspects of the afterlife. "I've always looked at the brighter side of the afterworld, but I thought I'd give the dark side its due," he explained, indicating the need for a balanced perspective on such themes. Regarding one's fate in the afterlife, he posited that one's character, rather than religious belief, determines the nature of their experience in the next realm.
News segment guests: Mish Shedlock, Howard Bloom