Parasitic illnesses associated with the consumption of fresh produce - an emerging issue in developed countries

Foodborne transmission of protozoan parasites is an emerging issue in developed countries around the world. Specifically, the parasites Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Cyclospora have been linked to numerous foodborne outbreaks of diarrheal illness. Many of these outbreaks have been associated with the consumption of fresh produce imported from developing regions, where water quality, hygiene and sanitation may be sub-optimal, and where numerous surveillance studies have demonstrated the presence of these parasites on fruits and vegetables. However, illness outbreaks have also been associated with the direct contamination of fresh produce at the food handler/consumer level. The implementation of control measures at pre-harvest and post-harvest, as well as at the food handler/consumer level, will be crucial in minimizing the foodborne transmission of these parasites.