Cyclospora, toxoplasma and cryptosporidium have been detected in berries sold in Norway. Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries were tested for Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplasma gondii, Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium. Raspberries were the most contaminated, followed by strawberries and blueberries. Strawberries and raspberries were mainly tainted with Cryptosporidium, while blueberries were contaminated mostly with Cyclospora. Toxoplasma and Cyclospora were frequently found in raspberries, according to the study published in the journal Food Microbiology.
However, researchers said it was important to note that only DNA was detected, so there is no certainty that the intact, infective stages of parasites were present, and there is no information on viability.
In Norway, because of the short growing season, many berries come from abroad, with more than 13,000 tons imported in 2020. In total, 86 berry samples were from domestic fruit while others came from countries such as Peru, Morocco, Chile, Netherlands, Portugal and Poland.
Researchers said that while findings are cause for some degree of concern for Norwegian food safety authorities, encouraging consumers to wash berries before consumption could reduce the risk of infection.
FoodWorld 