SPECIAL RELEASE EPISODE: We are publishing this episode early to ensure timely release.

Qualifications for the US Surgeon General are outlined in the US Code (TITLE 42 / CHAPTER 6A / SUBCHAPTER I / Part A / Section 205). Casey Means, current nominee for US Surgeon General (as of March 2026), does not meet these qualifications. In this episode, Mattie leads us through the history of the US Surgeon General, the importance of this position, the necessary credentials to hold this position, and why Casey Means is not qualified for this role. Plus, listen to Casey Means as she tries to defend herself against Senate questioning...it went as well as you can assume.

Recalls (see FDA.gov for more details):

• 02/27/2026 - Savannah Bee Company, BBQ Sauce. Undeclared allergens, including wheat & soy.
• 02/27/2026 - RHINO CHOCO VIP 10x, Chocolate. Undeclared Tadalafil
• 02/26/2026 - Quest, Cat Food Chicken Recipe Frozen. May contain low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)
• 02/25/2026 - Boner Bears, Chocolate Syrup. Undeclared Sildenafil
• 02/25/2026 - Great Value, Cottage Cheese. Not fully pasteurized
• 02/24/2026 - Elite Treats, Chicken Dog Treats. Salmonella
• 02/20/2026 - Made Fresh Salad, Various Cream Cheeses & Tofu Spreads. Listeria

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The US government has been issuing nutrition guidance for over 100 years — so what's the deal with the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines? In this episode, Ariel breaks down the history of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, what's actually in the new 10-page document, and why it looks so different from previous editions. She and Mattie dig into the industry ties behind the people who wrote it, why ditching a health equity framework is a major red flag, and what it would actually take to improve nutrition at the population level. Spoiler: it's not beef tallow. Also on the agenda: Flavor Flav championing women's sports, F1 season kicks off, and a product recall segment that somehow ends with Viagra in chocolate syrup.

RECALLS

• 02/27/2026 - Savannah Bee Company, BBQ Sauce.Undeclared allergens, including wheat & soy.
• 02/27/2026 - RHINO CHOCO VIP 10x, Chocolate. Undeclared Tadalafil
• 02/26/2026 - Quest, Cat Food Chicken Recipe Frozen. May contain low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)
• 02/25/2026 - Boner Bears, Chocolate Syrup. Undeclared Sildenafil
• 02/25/2026 - Great Value, Cottage Cheese. Not fully pasteurized
• 02/24/2026 - Elite Treats, Chicken Dog Treats. Salmonella
• 02/20/2026 - Made Fresh Salad, Various Cream Cheeses & Tofu Spreads. Listeria
• 02/17/2026 - Advanced Alkaloids, Dietary Supplements. Contains 7-OH
• 02/17/2026 - Quest, Cat Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried Nuggets, 10oz bag. Low levels of b1.

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Support the show

The views expressed on this episode are our own.

We are available by email at publichealthgroupchat@gmail.com and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.

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If you want to learn about Nipah virus, you’re in the right place. In this episode, Olivia walks us through what Nipah virus is, how it is transmitted, the recent outbreak in India, and how to prevent it. While it may not be front and center of the health news in the US, it is important to pay attention and understand that viruses in one part of the world can make their way to other parts of the world.

RECALLS

• Ambrosia Brands, LLC Rosabella Moringa Capsules (salmonella) - sold online
• Tippy Toes Apple Pear Banana Fruit Puree (patulin) - all US states except Alaska; Guam; Puerto Rico
• Wellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon (listeria monocytogenes) - BJ’s Wholesale Club stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia
• Why Not Natural Organic Moringa Green Superfood (salmonella) - sold online
• Navitas Organics Chia Seeds (salmonella) - locations unclear, but sold by Whole Foods
• Gerber Arrowroot Biscuits (potential presence of plastic) - location unclear
• Genova (Tri-Union Seafoods) - Yellowfin Tuna - (Clostridium botulinum)
  • Meijer – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin
  • Giant Foods – Maryland and Virginia
  • Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions – California
• Superfoods Inc - Live It Up: Super Greens Original and Wild Berry Flavored pouches and packs (Salmonella)

Minor clarification: mRNA vaccine development began in the 1990s, Olivia’s statement about mRNA vaccine development in 2001 is related to the utilization of mRNA vaccine technology for coronaviruses specifically.

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Support the show

The views expressed on this episode are our own.

We are available by email at publichealthgroupchat@gmail.com and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.

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