The Hidden Cost of Efficiency: How Consolidation Fueled the Cyclospora Outbreak The cyclospora outbreak that has left thousands sickened in the US is a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of our modern food system's relentless pursuit of efficiency.
Behind the headlines, a more insidious story unfolds – one of consolidation, centralization, and a flawed assumption that bigger is better. Dr.
David Relman, a professor of microbiology at Stanford University, notes that the centralized sourcing and distribution networks in the US food industry have played a significant role in turning what might have been isolated contamination events into multistate outbreaks.