Water parasite found in pre-washed vegetables sold in supermarkets 

The protozoan Cryptosporidium was found in more than 17% of samples of pre-washed vegetables sold in some supermarkets in  England. 

Researchers from the School of Biological Sciences have found Cryptosporidium  in pre-washed vegetables sold in a major supermarket in Kent. 

The water- and food-borne parasite Cryptosporidium, only recently  identified as contaminating drinking water in some parts of the UK, was found in more than 17% of samples of pre-washed vegetables analyzed by  scientists.  

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis in humans and livestock, which causes symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. . Cryptosporidium is commonly found in lakes, streams, rivers, and untreated drinking water. SUPPLEMENT

 Cryptosporidiosis is contagious and spreads mainly through contact with fasces from other people or animals, or by swimming  or drinking contaminated water. It can be transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated foods such as unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat and offal (liver, kidney and heart), although there is limited research into the presence of Cryptosporidium in washed and cooked vegetables in the UK. 

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Pre-washed ready-to-eat vegetables are washed more thoroughly with disinfectants containing chlorine  compared to unpackaged vegetables, but Cryptosporidium particles (oocysts) are in fact resistant to disinfection with chlorine and can only be reliably removed by boiling  or filtering. Therefore, although they are considered to be parasite-free and ready to eat straight out of the package, some oocysts remain and can cause illness. 

Dr. Anastasios Tsausis, lecturer in molecular and evolutionary parasitology and lead researcher, said: "Although our 2023 study is not able to distinguish between live and inactive Cryptosporidium,  the presence of Cryptosporidium in pre-washed vegetables is still significant as it requires validation of suppliers along the  production chain. Hygiene methods used, such as improved hygiene measures during harvesting, processing, packaging, transportation and storage. 

"Consumers also  need to be more conscious of how to properly store vegetables and wash their hands before eating them." READ MORE