The Drip by AQUALAB: Microplastics in Food with Angela Anandappa

06/11/24 • 21 min

The Drip by AQUALAB (formerly Water In Food)

Angela Anandappa, Ph. D. is the founding director of the Alliance for Advanced Sanitation. Anandappa is an experienced food safety industry professional having worked in the supply chain, product development, and sanitation areas of the food manufacturing industry. In this episode we unpack the alarming prevalence of microplastics, explore their pathways into our food supply, and discuss the potential solutions and innovations in sustainable packaging.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

The average intake of microplastics by an American
Understanding the complexities of recycling and how to overcome them
Advanced sanitation's role in integrating sustainability with food safety
Strategies for significantly reducing microplastics' impact
A call for a more unified and capable recycling system within the US

Jump to:

(04:29) How consumers are influenced by multiple sustainability standards and options.

(09:02) The Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative's mission for sustainability.

(11:33) Why the food industry must take action to reduce microplastics.

(14:51) How to not be overwhelmed by fighting climate change.

(17:11) Featured artist and song.

(19:17) This episode’s Mantra.

Featured Artist and Song:

2L8 by NASTY CAT

Links mentioned in this episode:

Alliance for Advanced Sanitation

Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative

Jason Mraz, music was chosen by Angela Anandappa

Connect with the show

AQUALAB

Zachary Cartwright, PhD

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

The average intake of microplastics by an American
Understanding the complexities of recycling and how to overcome them
Advanced sanitation's role in integrating sustainability with food safety
Strategies for significantly reducing microplastics' impact
A call for a more unified and capable recycling system within the US

Jump to:

(04:29) How consumers are influenced by multiple sustainability standards and options.

(09:02) The Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative's mission for sustainability.

(11:33) Why the food industry must take action to reduce microplastics.

(14:51) How to not be overwhelmed by fighting climate change.

(17:11) Featured artist and song.

(19:17) This episode’s Mantra.

Featured Artist and Song:

2L8 by NASTY CAT

Links mentioned in this episode:

Alliance for Advanced Sanitation

Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative

Jason Mraz, music was chosen by Angela Anandappa

Connect with the show

AQUALAB

Zachary Cartwright, PhD

Previous Episode

The Drip by AQUALAB: The Truth About Raw Milk; Savana Everhart Nunn breaks down the risks

The Truth About Raw Milk: Breaking Down the Risks with Savana Everhart Nunn

Savana Everhart Nunn, PhD in One Health Sciences from Texas Tech University, joins the show to share why the US government agencies caution against consuming raw milk. We also explore the implications of not pasteurizing milk, and Savana’s groundbreaking research on mastitis in dairy cattle. Whether you're a food science enthusiast or just curious about the science behind your daily foods... you're in the right place.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

What does pasteurization involve and why is it necessary for milk safety?
Who is at greater risk when consuming raw milk?
The pathogenic bacteria most commonly found in raw milk
How animal health directly impacts food safety and human health
How Savana helped pioneer a PhD program in One Health Sciences

Jump to:

(06:07) Why HTST is the common pasteurization method in the US.

(08:41) The negligible benefits and risks of drinking raw milk.

(11:44) Penicillin resistance in US dairy.

(13:50) The challenges of grad school and coping with mental health.

(19:28) The scientists analyzing big data to solve problems.

(21:41) Passionate about zoonoses and improving animal health.
(25:14) Featured artist and song

(26:03) This episode's Mantra

Featured Artist and Song:

THE SMOKE by CΔTΔLYST

Links mentioned in this episode:

‘Factors Surrounding the Implementation of Food Safety Management Systems and Their Impact on Food Safety Culture’ by Savana Everhart Nunn
‘Cross-Contamination to Surfaces in Consumer Kitchens Using MS2 as a Tracer Organism in Ground Turkey Patties’ by Savana Everhart Nunn, et al.
Institute for One Health Innovation
Euclid by Sleep Token, music recommended by Savana Everhart Nunn.

Connect with the show

AQUALAB

Next Episode

The Drip by AQUALAB: Innovations in the Middle East and North Africa with Fidele El Achkar

Digitizing Food Safety: Innovations in Middle East and North Africa with Fidele El Achkar

Fidele El Achkar is the visionary founder of FoodSight, an initiative aimed at revolutionizing the food industry in the Middle East and North Africa. By digitizing food safety and industry activities, Fidele seeks to modernize traditional practices, ensuring they align with global trends. FoodSight fosters collaboration among freelancers, international experts, and service providers, creating an ecosystem where stakeholders work together using a customized approach.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Addressing food safety issues in Lebanon and the MENA region
How FoodSight is uniting industry stakeholders and creating job opportunities
The digitization of food industry activities and how it’s revolutionizing food safety and efficiency
Assisting producers with export and compliance issues
How other regions around the world can learn from the success of FoodSight

Jump to:

(05:19) How FoodSight aims to unite industry stakeholders and create job opportunities.

(07:01) Assisting producers with export and compliance issues.

(11:58) Experts fill out detailed profiles and questionnaires.

(16:17) Repositioning FoodSights as a social enterprise and expanding globally.

(19:44) This episode’s song.

(21:40) This episode’s mantra.

Featured Artist and Song:

FIGHT 4 ME by NASTY CAT

Links mentioned in this episode:

FoodSight

Fidele El Ackhar on LinkedIn