Organic agriculture is a growing industry that can be a profitable, sustainable business for producers, globally. The rapid growth of this sector has triggered different discussions and concerns about the impact of organic agriculture on the safety of foods in comparison to conventional agriculture. In addition to bacterial and viral pathogens, foodborne parasites, especially those that cause intestinal and neurologic disease, represent a concern considering the epidemiologic data that shows elevated risk for acquiring parasitic infections through consumption of different food commodities. Cyclospora cayetanensis has been associated with large outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada. Severe cases of eosinophilic meningitis caused by the foodborne parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis have been epidemiologically linked to exposure to leafy greens or edible mollusks, worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii, another important foodborne parasite, is associated with behavioral dysregulation and neuropsychiatric conditions that may go undiagnosed for years and result in increased morbidity and mortality of consumers at risk. This symposium will explore the current and past data, regarding parasitic diseases, that can be linked to consumption of food commodities produced by organic and conventional agricultural practices with impact on consumer’s health. Speakers from federal U.S. agencies and from academia will discuss these topics.

Presentations