The Poison Squad

At the turn of the 20th century, America's food supply was a dangerous gamble—milk diluted with pond water, coffee laced with sawdust, candy colored with toxic dyes.

Government chemist Dr. Harvey Wiley believed the only way to prove these chemicals were poisoning Americans was through shocking human trials. He recruited twelve volunteers to eat expertly prepared meals laced with suspected toxins, documenting their deteriorating health in meticulous detail. The controversial "Poison Squad" experiments captivated the nation, pitting Wiley against powerful food manufacturers and ultimately leading to the creation of the FDA.

A gripping story of courage that remains relevant as we navigate today's debates over additives, pesticides, and processed foods.