As the parasite, Cyclospora, continues to be traced in lettuce and other produce across the United States, NC State researchers are available to provide context and details on what this may mean for consumers and food industry representatives.

Food Contamination and Food Industry

Ellen Shumaker, director of outreach for the Safe Plates food safety program with NC State Extension,  can speak on the overall investigation into cyclospora contamination and discuss ways to reduce the risk for consumers and small retail operations. Shumaker can be reached at ellen_shumaker@ncsu.edu. 

Benjamin Chapman, department head and professor for the Agriculture and Human Sciences Department and the interim associate director and state program leader for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) and Community and Rural Development (CRD) at NC State Extension, can speak on cyclospora implications to the food service and retail industries. Chapman can be reached at bjchapma@ncsu.edu. 

Candice Christian, extension associate in consumer and retail food safety in NC State’s Agriculture and Human Sciences Department, can speak to the media about best consumer practices at home to mitigate risks, such as washing produce and cooking protocols. Christian can be reached at cadescha@ncsu.edu. 

Cyclospora Testing

Lee-Ann Jaykus, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emerita in the Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Department, can speak about Cyclospora the organism, illness, public health implications, investigation of the outbreak (epidemiology and root cause analysis), environmental surveys, sources of contamination and impact of climate and agricultural and food processing practices on contamination and inactivation. Jaykus can be reached at lajaykus@ncsu.edu or (919) 423-6482.

Supply Chains and Tracing

Julie Swann, A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor in the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, can speak on Cyclospora’s impact in supply chains and public health tracing networks. Swann can be reached at jlswann@ncsu.edu.

Economic Impact

Jeff Dorfman, Hugh C. Kiger Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, is an expert on the economics of the food industry and can discuss economic impacts related to the outbreak. Dorfman can be reached at jhdorfman@ncsu.edu.