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Occurrence of parasites on fruits and vegetables in Norway.
J Food Prot. 2001 Nov; 64(11):1793-8.JF

Abstract

Between August 1999 and January 2001, samples of various fruits and vegetables obtained within Norway were analyzed by published methods for parasite contamination. Neither Cyclospora oocysts nor Ascaris (or other helminth) eggs were detected on any of the samples examined for these parasites. However, of the 475 samples examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts, 29 (6%) were found to be positive. No samples were positive for both parasites. Of the 19 Cryptosporidium-positive samples. 5 (26%) were in lettuce, and 14 (74%) in mung bean sprouts. Of the 10 Giardia-positive samples, 2 (20%) were in dill, 2 (20%) in lettuce, 3 (30%) in mung bean sprouts, 1 (10%) in radish sprouts, and 2 (20%) in strawberries. Mung bean sprouts were significantly more likely to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts than the other fruits and vegetables. Concentrations of Cryptosporidium and Giardia detected were generally low (mean of approximately 3 [oo]cysts per 100 g produce). Although some of the contaminated produce was imported (the majority, if sprouted seeds are excluded), there was no association between imported produce and detection of parasites. Crvptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were also detected in water samples concerned with field irrigation and production of bean sprouts within Norway. This is the first time that parasites have been detected on vegetables and fruit obtained in a highly developed. wealthy country, without there being an outbreak situation. These findings may have important implications for global food safety.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Robertson LJ
Department of Pharmacology, Microbiology and Food Hygiene, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo. lucy.robertson@veths.no
Gjerde B
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnimalsCryptosporidiumCystsDisease OutbreaksFood ContaminationFood ParasitologyFruitGiardiaHumansIncidenceNorwayOocytesParasite Egg CountPublic HealthVegetables

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

11726161

Citation

Robertson, L J., and B Gjerde. "Occurrence of Parasites On Fruits and Vegetables in Norway." Journal of Food Protection, vol. 64, no. 11, 2001, pp. 1793-8.
Robertson LJ, Gjerde B. Occurrence of parasites on fruits and vegetables in Norway. J Food Prot. 2001;64(11):1793-8.
Robertson, L. J., & Gjerde, B. (2001). Occurrence of parasites on fruits and vegetables in Norway. Journal of Food Protection, 64(11), 1793-8.
Robertson LJ, Gjerde B. Occurrence of Parasites On Fruits and Vegetables in Norway. J Food Prot. 2001;64(11):1793-8. PubMed PMID: 11726161.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Occurrence of parasites on fruits and vegetables in Norway. AU - Robertson,L J, AU - Gjerde,B, PY - 2001/12/1/pubmed PY - 2002/1/5/medline PY - 2001/12/1/entrez SP - 1793 EP - 8 JF - Journal of food protection JO - J Food Prot VL - 64 IS - 11 N2 - Between August 1999 and January 2001, samples of various fruits and vegetables obtained within Norway were analyzed by published methods for parasite contamination. Neither Cyclospora oocysts nor Ascaris (or other helminth) eggs were detected on any of the samples examined for these parasites. However, of the 475 samples examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts, 29 (6%) were found to be positive. No samples were positive for both parasites. Of the 19 Cryptosporidium-positive samples. 5 (26%) were in lettuce, and 14 (74%) in mung bean sprouts. Of the 10 Giardia-positive samples, 2 (20%) were in dill, 2 (20%) in lettuce, 3 (30%) in mung bean sprouts, 1 (10%) in radish sprouts, and 2 (20%) in strawberries. Mung bean sprouts were significantly more likely to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts than the other fruits and vegetables. Concentrations of Cryptosporidium and Giardia detected were generally low (mean of approximately 3 [oo]cysts per 100 g produce). Although some of the contaminated produce was imported (the majority, if sprouted seeds are excluded), there was no association between imported produce and detection of parasites. Crvptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were also detected in water samples concerned with field irrigation and production of bean sprouts within Norway. This is the first time that parasites have been detected on vegetables and fruit obtained in a highly developed. wealthy country, without there being an outbreak situation. These findings may have important implications for global food safety. SN - 0362-028X UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/11726161/Occurrence_of_parasites_on_fruits_and_vegetables_in_Norway_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -