Prevalence of helminth eggs on raw vegetables used for salads

• Published in: Food control Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 239 - 242
• Main Authors: Kozan, Esma, Gonenc, Bahadir, Sarimehmetoglu, Oguz, Aycicek, Hasan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2005
• Subjects: detection; Disinfecting; food contamination; food pathogens; fresh-cut foods; Helminth eggs; helminths; Human pathogens; raw vegetables; salads; Vegetables; Washing; Turkey (country); Washing; Vegetables; Human pathogens; Disinfecting; Helminth eggs
• ISSN: 0956-7135; 1873-7129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2004.02.005

The presence of helminth eggs on raw vegetables, including lettuce, parsley, green onions, cucumbers, carrots, red cabbage, tomatoes, rockets ( Eruca sativa), and green-peppers from wholesalers in Ankara, Turkey was determined. A total of 203 unwashed and 406 washed samples were assayed by light microscopy. Helminth eggs were detected in 12 (5.9%) of 203 unwashed samples and not in any washed samples ( p<0.05). Helminth eggs detected in unwashed samples included Taenia spp. (3.5%), Toxocara spp. (1.5%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (1.0%) eggs. Taenia spp. eggs were recovered to be highest number ( n=130), followed by Toxocara spp. eggs ( n=21). Approximately 11% of unwashed lettuce and parsley was contaminated compared with only 2.5% of carrot samples. No helminth eggs were detected in red cabbage, rockets, tomatoes or green-peppers. These results highlight the potential for transmission of helminth eggs by unwashed salad vegetables in Turkey and the importance of properly washing/disinfecting raw vegetables before consumption.