Cyclosporiasis, salmonella outbreaks signal need for more investment in U.S. food system, says expert
Although the U.S. food system is generally safe, recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including cyclosporiasis and salmonella poisoning, suggest that more investment is needed, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Jerold Mande.
In an Aug. 11 Boston Globe article, Mande, adjunct professor of nutrition and former official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), spoke about the importance of increasing funding for federal agencies and local health departments. He also noted that recent Trump administration cuts to the federal workforce have thinned the ranks of food safety communications experts at FDA.
“In the past there were really highly trained, experienced people, deeply familiar with all the details that would have been able to get the message out a lot sooner and a lot clearer than it’s been,” Mande said.
The cyclosporiasis outbreak, linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico, has sickened thousands across the U.S. and has been linked to two deaths. The salmonella outbreak has been linked to prepared foods containing jalapeños sold in several states. Taylor Farms, identified as a likely distributor of both the contaminated lettuce and jalapeños, has issued recalls of suspected items.
Experts quoted in the article offered several recommendations, including:
- Monitor outbreaks via an online list from the FDA or from state health departments
- Steer clear of pre-cut or bagged produce and buy locally grown if possible
- Properly wash and cook food
Read the Boston Globe article:
First cyclospora and now salmonella. What’s driving the outbreaks?
Learn more
Cyclosporiasis outbreak: What to know (Harvard Chan School news)
