Earlier this summer, reports emerged about a nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes abdominal discomfort and is transmitted through food or water contaminated with human feces. This raised a persistent question: How did such contamination enter our food supply?
Speculation quickly spread online. Questions arose about whether farmworkers might be sick or forced to relieve themselves in fields due to inadequate restroom facilities. Some wondered if the deportation of migrant workers, who often play a crucial role in food safety, was connected. Discussions online focused on farm labor as either a potential disease source or a protective force for the food supply.
However, food safety experts argue these theories are incomplete or incorrect. The scale of this summer’s outbreak, the largest recorded in U.S. history, points to widespread contamination of the food supply. Experts suggest that the focus should be on irrigation water and other water sources within our industrialized, global food supply chain.
In certain agricultural areas, treated sewage water is reused for crop irrigation, a legal practice in nearly half of U.S. states, especially in drought-affected regions. If the water is not treated to the highest standards, it can lead to complications. While it’s unclear if contaminated water played a role in this year’s cyclosporiasis outbreak, investigations are ongoing. So far, Taylor Farms has been linked to the outbreak across multiple states, and the FDA has initiated an on-site inspection at its facility in central Mexico.
Amid this, increased scrutiny of farmworkers adds to the pressures they face, noted Amy Liebman, chief program officer at the Migrant Clinicians Network, which connects farm laborers to healthcare. In a conversation edited for clarity, Liebman discusses the risks of further stigmatizing this vulnerable workforce amid mass deportations, public health challenges, and climate change.
Q. What are the potential risks of stigmatizing immigrant farmworkers in discussions about this infectious disease, and how should the public responsibly address this issue?
A. There is a disconnect between our expectations for a safe food supply and how we achieve it. Farmworkers are more vulnerable to contracting the disease than being its source.
In any outbreak, close living conditions are concerning. Farmworkers often live and work in the same places, making their conditions crucial. Issues like the number of bathrooms or the source of their well water are also relevant.
The source of the outbreak is difficult to trace due to the time it takes to track infections. However, it likely involves water contamination. Understanding the environment where our food is grown and processed—from harvesting to processing to selling and finally reaching our tables—is vital. There’s potential for contamination at every step.
Q. What feedback is your organization receiving from field clinicians? Are migrant farmworkers seeking care when they contract cyclosporiasis?
A. Multiple factors are at play. Our public health system is being dismantled, and local health departments are struggling to manage without significant direction or support from the CDC. This affects everyone, as a weakened public health system impacts all communities. Additionally, changes in immigration policy have driven farmworkers further into the shadows, creating fear within the community.
When someone is sick, they need access to healthcare and transportation, addressing their geographic isolation. Language barriers between farmworkers and healthcare providers further complicate access to care. These traditional barriers exacerbate the marginalization of farmworkers.
Q. There appears to be an additional challenge regarding extreme heat and worker safety in the U.S. Recently, Congress advanced a bill preventing OSHA from establishing a federal standard to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses.
A. This adds another layer to our discussion. We have an infectious disease outbreak, and farmworkers are more vulnerable due to their work, access to healthcare, and immigration enforcement. Additionally, climate and weather pattern changes are crucial to consider.
I mentioned earlier the disconnect between food safety expectations and the worker’s role in delivering food to our tables. Interestingly, data shows that providing workers with water, rest, and shade during high heat days increases productivity. Passing a law that hinders worker protection seems short-sighted from a productivity standpoint.
Ultimately, worker health and safety is public health. Whether we’re addressing infectious diseases or weather-related issues like heat, ensuring worker protection benefits the broader community.
