As we head into peak picnic and potluck season, The Medical Collective is breaking down what’s really lurking in your summer salad—and it’s not just lettuce and dressing. In this solo episode, pathologist Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D., takes you on a behind-the-scenes look at foodborne illness, toxins, and how the lab helps crack the case when things go wrong.

From potato salad left in the sun to pre-bagged greens hiding E. coli, this episode offers a pathologist’s perspective on what your gut doesn’t want to digest this summer. You’ll walk away with tips, tools, and maybe a new level of respect for the microbiology lab at your local hospital.

 

🧪 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What pathologists actually do when foodborne illness is suspected
• How samples from stool to stomach tissue end up in the lab
• Why common culprits like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli show up more in the summer
• What toxins or bugs might be in your favorite dishes (yes, even the healthy ones)
• Simple food safety rules to avoid the ER or worse
• A few wild lab cases that started with a “bad salad” and ended with an unexpected diagnosis

 

📌 Featured Summer Food Safety Risks:

• Listeria thrives in ready-to-eat foods, like deli meat and soft cheeses—even when refrigerated
• Salmonella is commonly found in undercooked eggs, chicken, and even cantaloupe
• E. coli outbreaks are often traced back to leafy greens like romaine and bagged salads
• Norovirus spreads easily at cookouts and beach parties via contaminated hands or surfaces

 

🧼 How to Stay Safe This Summer:

• Avoid the “Danger Zone”: Don’t let food sit between 40°F and 140°F for more than 2 hours
• Wash produce thoroughly, even pre-washed bags
• Keep raw meat separate from fruits and veggies
• Hydrate safely—contaminated ice and water are often overlooked sources of illness
• Be wary of mayonnaise-based salads that sit out too long in the heat

 

🧠 From the Lab:

Dr. Davis explains how public health departments work with hospital labs and national systems to track outbreaks and how the data ends up protecting you.

 

🔗 Helpful Resources:

• CDC Food Safety Tips & Outbreak Alerts: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/index.html
• FDA Foodborne Illness Education & Recalls: https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/foodborne-illnesses
• Johns Hopkins Food Safety Center: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-a-livable-future/projects/food-safety
• Mayo Clinic Guide to Food Poisoning: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-poisoning/symptoms-causes

 

🎧 About the Host:

Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. is a triple board-certified pathologist, fitness educator, and founder of The Medical Collective Podcast.

📎 https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

🎙️ https://themedicalcollective.komi.io