By Meghan Proctor ’16

A disease is sweeping the nation with no clear signs of relief. What was once an innocent twist on everyone’s favorite seasonal fruit has become a threatening culinary epidemic. It infects the foods in grocery stores everywhere, and it has even mutated to thrive in many other products. This disease is of course none other than the infamous pumpkin spice.

Pumpkin spice has been around for decades, being a popular ingredient in recipes such as pies and cakes. However, its more recent outbreak traces back to a popular coffee chain: Starbucks. In 2004, Starbucks released the Pumpkin Spice Latte, which slowly grew in popularity. The beverage’s popularity allowed the pumpkin spice virus to thrive, causing a mutation which allowed it to infect other foods from Oreos to Peeps. “We only wanted to create a fun, nostalgic treat based off of some of our favorite fall recipes,” said Starbucks barista Bailey Night. “We never wanted to cause any major health risks outside of the tons of sugar added in the drink.”

The symptoms of pumpkin spice can be devastating to both the products and the people that consume them. When a food item is infected with pumpkin spice, it suffers from an unnatural, occasionally disgusting taste that overrides the original flavor of the food. When pumpkin spice enters a human’s system, symptoms range from a drop in IQ to temporarily losing faith in all of humanity. An individual’s vulnerability to pumpkin spice is a case by case basis. However, scientists have determined that one may be more likely to catch the virus if they are also at risk for some other illnesses, including Ugg boots and posting gratuitous amounts of food-related pictures on the Internet.

The key to this disease’s survival is most likely its marketability. With seasonal and inviting packaging, many major companies, including Starbucks, easily make a profit by enticing consumers to buy their products and allow the public health hazard to enter their systems. Scientists are fearful of how the disease will affect the public next. If not contained soon, the virus may grow to uncontrollable proportions. “With no definite way to contain this virus, I fear it may take us months if not years to reduce it back to safe levels,” said doctor William Johnson. “Especially now that it’s so ingrained in today’s pop culture.”

While a cure for this illness is yet to be confirmed, recent studies have shown a possible link in the relief of symptoms to the consumption of peppermint, a traditional sweet most popular in early winter.