Julie L. Swann, PhD, MS, is the A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor in the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at NC State University, and she is past-president of INFORMS. Professor Swann is an expert in supply chain management and in health systems and a Fellow of AAAS, AIMBE, IISE, and INFORMS.
Foodborne outbreaks like Cyclospora are often blamed on contaminated produce, but delayed data sharing may be the larger problem. This article examines how modern digital traceability, standardized data systems, and faster outbreak investigations could reduce illnesses and improve food safety across the supply chain.