A HIGHLY-contagious parasite has been found in pre-washed vegetables from several major supermarkets. Cryptosporidium , which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting , was present in 17 per cent of samples analysed by scientists across Kent . The study, carried out by the University of Kent's School of Biosciences, warned families should take extra care when consuming ready-to-eat products .
Cryptosporidium is a water-borne and food-borne parasite that causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis . Over the last few months, it has affected people and farm animals across the UK, causing diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pains , fever, headaches and fatigue. Several people have been hospitalised .
Cryptosporidium is typically found in lakes, streams, rivers and untreated drinking water , but it can be present in food . There is evidence of infections from eating and drinking unpasteurised milk, undercooked meat and offal (liver, kidneys, and heart), but research into the presence of cryptosporidium in pre-washed and ready-to-eat vegetables in the UK is limited. The study, published in Parasitology Research , looked at 36 pre-washed vegetables purchased from four major supermarkets in Canterbury between May and July 2023.
Samples were randomly chosen from packaged ready-to-eat varieties, and duplicates from each were obtained. Twelve samples were excluded as not enough DNA could be extracted. But of the remaining 24, 58 per cent tested positive for cryptosporidium, and 17 per cent (four) pr.
