Food Sleuth Radio

Did you know that breakdown products of a widely used fungicide in the U.S. food system poses both environmental and public health risks? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Tristan Brandhorst, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, University of WI-Madison. Brandhorst discusses his research on fludioxonil, a widely used fungicide in agricult...

Did you know that the majority of Americans believe the burden of pollution is being shifted onto families through medical bills and long-term health consequences, and that by a 7-to-1 margin, Americans favor strengthening or expanding the EPA rather than weakening it? (See: What Americans — including Trump Supporters — Actually Want from the EPA: https://substack.com/home/post/p-200483632 )  Join...

Did you know that there is a conceptual change in science that includes a broader understanding of how pollutants and our microbiome interact to impact the development of disease? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Robin Mesnage, PhD, toxicologist, Scientific Director at the Buchinger Wilhelmi Therapeutic Fasting program in Uberlingen...

Did you know that people who are incarcerated typically receive poor quality food that contributes to poor mental and physical health? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Jessi Silverman, MPH, RD, Deputy Director in the Programs Department at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. CSPI and the Carceral Nutrition Project produce...

Did you know that there is no standard legal definition of “regenerative” food and agriculture? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Kendra Klein, PhD, Deputy Director of Science at Friends of the Earth, and co-author of “Regenerative Food Labels: What’s Behind the Claim?” Klein helps us navigate organic and regenerative food labels in...

Did you know that agribusiness logic places emphasis on big yields while neglecting the value of small farms and gardens? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Andrew Flachs, PhD., Associate Professor of Anthropology at Purdue University, food and farming systems researcher, and author of Feeding the World as If People Mattered: How Smal...

Did you know that the push towards efficiency is often a trap? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Andrew Flachs, PhD., Associate Professor of anthropology at Purdue University, and food and farming systems researcher. He discusses highlights from his new book, Feeding the World as If People Mattered: How Small Farms Produce Value Beyo...

Did you know that glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the world, and because of its ubiquitous use, glyphosate can be found in most of our bodies? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Lianne Sheppard, PhD, Professor in the Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and Biostatistics at the University of...

Did you know that mechanical stimulation nourishes our bones? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Margaret Martin, physical therapist and expert on bone health. Martin explains why exercise and getting nutrients from foods is critical for promoting bone health, and preventing osteoporosis.    Related Websites:    www.melioguide.com

Did you know that 75 percent of immerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Meghan Davis, DVM, PhD MPH, Associate Professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Livable Future. Davis discusses the concept of “One Health,” provides an update on t...

Did you know that fast food products and ultra processed foods that contain toxic compounds such as phthalates, are more heavily marketed to people of color? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Ami Zota, ScD, Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Zota desc...

 Did you know that the fat in animal products can be a source for fat-soluble environmental toxins such as DDT and other pesticides? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Kari Hammerschlag, MS , Deputy Director of Friends of the Earth’s food and agriculture program . Hammerschlag discusses animal fats as potential reservoirs for fat-solu...

Did you know that there is clinical evidence showing that collagen peptides may help support joint function, skin and bone health? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Shiloah Kviatkovsky, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Kviatkovsky discusses collagen’s role in the body,...

Did you know that a gluten-free diet doesn’t have to limit your quality of life? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Jessica Lebovits, RD, Registered Dietitian with expertise in celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders. Lebovits discusses symptoms of celiac disease, and ways to navigate a gluten-free life, including strategies...

Did you know that according to a recent Pew survey , more than 70% of American adults are concerned about exposure to toxic chemicals in their food and drinking water? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Stacy Malkan, co-founder and editor at the nonprofit public health research group, U.S. Right to Know. Malkan describes how chemical...

Did you know that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto/Bayer’s herbicide, Roundup,  is an endocrine (hormone) disruptor, and antibiotic that negatively affects our gut microbes? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her continued conversation with Lee Evslin, MD, FAAP, board-certified pediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, former...

Did you know that even low-level exposures to commonly used pesticides pose harm to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Lee Evslin, MD, FAAP, board-certified pediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, former hospital CEO, and author of Breakfast at Monsanto’s:...

Did you know that cuts to SNAP will affect farmers’ incomes, rural economies and the ability of underserved populations to access fresh, local food at farmers’ markets? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her continuing conversation with Kelly Verel, Co-Executive Director at Project for Public Spaces, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing public s...

Did you know that public market spaces, including farmers’ markets, are vital for regional economic resilience and public health?  Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Kelly Verel, Co-Executive Director at Project for Public Spaces, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing public spaces to life through planning and design.  Verel...

Did you know that each year, more than 500,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to kidney stones; it’s estimated that approximately 1 in 10 people will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Melanie Betz, MS, RD, “The Kidney Dietitian,” who will explain the reasons why the incidence of kidne...

Did you know that the U. of MI offers a free webinar series titled: “Food Literacy for All”? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Amanda Edmonds, MS, sustainable food systems consultant and instructor at the University of Michigan. Edmonds explains the scope of food systems, defines food literacy, and describes the objectives the U. of...

Did you know that the Tyson meatpacking company reaps enormous profits on the backs of immigrant, prison, and in some cases even child labor? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with James Beard award winning writer, Alice Driver, PhD, author of Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Co...

Did you know that cost, convenience and taste almost always beat out health when it comes to making food choices? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Christopher Gardner, Ph. D., Professor of Medicine and Nutrition Scientist at Stanford University. Gardner, who served on the 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, discusses th...

Did you know that The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and the International Year of the Woman Farmer? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Seth Itzkan, environmental futurist and cofounder of Soil4Cli...

Did you know that eating well doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive?  Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Jill Nussinow, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian a.k.a. “The Veggie Queen.” Nussinow, an author, chef and culinary instructor, discusses ways to improve nutrition and lead a healthier, happier life. She provides specific inform...