MINI DOCUMENTARY: U.S. Vegetable Supply May Be POISONED After Lithium Inferno

Jon Farina produced this collection of our coverage showcasing the real danger to America

Independent videojournalist Jon Farina produced a mini-documentary on the ongoing disaster in Northern California nearly two months after a massive fire broke out at Vistra lithium battery plant—spreading toxic gases and chemicals into the air and soil (and potentially water). The fire, and release of toxic chemicals, has sickened hundreds of residents with nosebleeds, chemical burns, breathing problems, headaches, dizziness, burning in their lungs, fatigue, and more (a month after the initial fire, the fire in the plant reignited on February 18th, 2025).

Making matters more alarming, the area surrounding the fire is known as the "Salad Bowl of America" due to vegetables farms that produce 70 percent of the vegetables Americans eat. There are also a lot of fruit farms that grow strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more. Independent researchers have detected significantly elevated levels of heavy metals in nearby soil miles away from the plant. Farina's documentary features our extensive coverage on this story, including our Tina-Desiree Berg's ON-THE-GROUND reporting after the fire. WATCH OUR VIDEO PLAYLIST with our coverage on this story: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt26I5I31rNsoRPi2-_NXxbGK9tMgfNnY