Here’s Why We’ve Been Seeing So Much Food-Borne Illness
This story was originally published by Vox and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Summer is supposed to be the best time for fresh produce. Corn on the cob at the cookout. Berries plucked right from the vine. Salads on the cafe patio while you take an extra long lunch break because the weather and the […]
Summer is typically a time for enjoying fresh produce, from corn on the cob to berries and salads at cafes. However, this year has seen a significant increase in foodborne illness cases. The United States has recorded over 17,000 lab-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases since May, a 10-fold increase from previous years. This parasite can cause watery diarrhea, and the outbreak has been the worst on record.
The issue doesn't stop there. One person died from a listeria infection traced to ricotta cheese, and nearly 100 people fell ill from salmonella-contaminated eggs. Over 400 others have been affected by a salmonella outbreak involving jalapeños, and last week, frozen blueberries were issued a high-priority warning by the Food and Drug Administration due to potential E coli contamination. Additionally, alfalfa sprouts in multiple states have led to another salmonella and E coli outbreak, with four people hospitalized.
Experts warn that people might even stop consuming vegetables due to the fear of cyclosporiasis, a month-long bout of watery diarrhea. Washington Post columnist David Fahrenthold argues that we might need to stop eating lettuce altogether. While it's natural to seek someone to blame, the responsibility lies not just with the Trump administration and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but also with the broader issues of globalization and climate change.
The globalized food supply chain is a crucial factor in food safety. This year's outbreak was eventually traced back to iceberg lettuce from Mexico. Most cyclospora outbreaks originate from foods grown in other countries. The sometimes international journey from farm to store for a bagged salad kit presents multiple opportunities for contamination, such as tainted irrigation water, local wildlife excrement, and poor storage practices.
This problem is expected to worsen as the planet continues to warm, allowing pathogens to spread to more farms globally, including within the United States.
Warming temperatures contribute to the spread of bugs like salmonella and E coli. Cyclospora, which historically was found only in tropical and subtropical climates, is now spreading to areas further north and south. Professor Joseph Eisenberg from the University of Michigan explains that climate change has allowed pathogens to expand beyond their traditional ranges, leading to cases in southern states like Louisiana and Texas. It suggests that cyclospora could become endemic in the United States in the future.
Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, confirms that cases from domestic origins have only recently started appearing, making the new outbreaks a result of climate change. The situation is worsening as conditions for foodborne illness are "ripening," and the US government's efforts to monitor and respond to outbreaks have been significantly hampered by staff cuts.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
