Cyclospora

A cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated food has become a talking point in US midterm election campaigns, with candidates and commentators debating government food safety oversight and regulators' response to the illness. The outbreak, which causes intestinal infections, has put public health funding and inspection practices on the campaign trail.

Following a cyclospora outbreak, food safety is being discussed as a 'kitchen-table' political issue, with the Miami Herald reporting that concern over contaminated food is now part of everyday political conversation among ordinary families. The outbreak has pushed questions of inspection, regulation and accountability for the food supply into mainstream public debate.