Morpheus

From Science Friday

Recall rodeo: A food safety update + Why cars are catching fire

Published
September 8, 2026
Length
18:27

Audio is streamed from the publisher.

Show notes

Between E. coli in blueberries, glass in popsicles, and that [https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/cyclospora-outbreak-diarrhea/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( dreaded cyclospora, this summer was all about keeping a wary eye on the groceries in the fridge. But how does the recall data stack up against previous years? And are federal cuts to food safety agencies to blame? Flora talks to food safety expert Brian Ronholm to get the big picture. Plus, more than 1.5 million cars have been recalled this year for risk of [https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/food-safety-and-cars-catching-fire/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( bursting into flames. As automotive journalist Jason Torchinsky explains, it's a miracle it doesn’t happen more often. Guests: Brian Ronholm is the director of food policy at Consumer Reports. Jason Torchinsky is an automotive journalist and co-founder of Autopian. _Transcript will be available after the show airs on_ [https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/food-safety-and-cars-catching-fire/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( _sciencefriday.com._ [https://pod.link/73329284"]( _Subscribe to this podcast._ _Follow our show on_ [https://www.instagram.com/scifri/"]( _Instagram_ _,_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@scifri"]( _TikTok_ _,_ [https://www.facebook.com/scifri"]( _Facebook_ _, and_ [https://bsky.app/profile/scifri.bsky.social"]( _Bluesky_ _@scifri and_ [https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm\_source=wnyc&utm\_medium=podcast&utm\_campaign=scifri"]( _sign up for our newsletters_ _. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us:_ _877-472-4374_ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See [pcm.adswizz.com]( https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.