Leveraging Technology to Combat Heavy Metals with Doyle Karr

In this episode of The Produce Moms podcast, Lori Taylor interviews Doyle Karr , a recognized thought leader in global food and agriculture with over three decades of experience. They explore the pressing issue of heavy metals in food and soil, discussing the technological innovations aimed at mitigating these risks.

Doyle shares insights on the importance of transparency and trust in the food supply chain and emphasizes the collaborative actions needed to ensure the safety and quality of our produce.

Read and Listen on The Produce Moms Website

"Starting with a problem and solution is key," he said. "We need to communicate what we’re solving for, and then present the innovations and actions being taken to ensure food safety and trust in the supply chain."

Doyle emphasizes the critical role that innovation plays in agriculture, highlighting the significance of understanding the complex interactions between soil health and plant growth.

“Understanding what’s happening in the soil with microbes can lead to innovative solutions that reduce heavy metal uptake in plants," he said. "We have to keep pushing for these advancements in technology.”

Other Key Points in the Conversation:

• Heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, are naturally occurring in the environment and can contaminate food and soil.
• Consuming high levels of heavy metals can have negative health effects, especially for infants and young children.
• Food companies are adjusting their product portfolios and increasing testing to reduce heavy metal levels in their products.
• Innovations in plant breeding and microbial treatments are being developed to reduce heavy metal levels in crops.
• Transparency, trust, and collaboration are key in addressing the issue of heavy metals in food and soil.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 09:10 The Risks and Impacts of Heavy Metals
• 13:19 Balancing Heavy Metal Reduction and Produce Consumption
• 20:33 Innovations in Technology to Reduce Heavy Metal Levels
• 24:31 Microbial Treatments for Heavy Metal Reduction
• 37:15 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

About The Produce Moms

The Produce Moms? is on a mission to put more fruits and vegetables on every table to change the way America eats. Through our platforms and produce supplier partnerships, we educate consumers on the benefits of eating fresh produce, the growing process, and how to select, store and serve it. The Produce Moms? was founded by Lori Taylor whose experience as a mom and produce supply chain professional helped her to identify innovative ways to inspire consumers to eat more fresh fruits and veggies.