Highly contagious bug found in produce area of ​​supermarkets, people warned to take extra care

A highly infectious bug that causes vomiting and diarrhea has been found in almost a fifth of pre-washed vegetables sold in UK supermarkets.

Scientists tested samples from different supermarkets in Kent and found that almost one in five – 17 per cent – were contaminated with cryptosporidium, according to Kent Live.

This is the same parasite that caused an outbreak in Devon in May that affected more than 100 people.

The incident in the Brixham area was traced to a faulty air valve resulting in contaminated tap water.

Now, research by the University of Kent School of Biosciences has found the parasite in several packets of ready-to-eat vegetables, the Express reports.

This discovery has led to warnings about how consumers should handle such products before consuming them.

The research team did not reveal which supermarkets sold the contaminated products, but suggested similar figures were likely across the sector.

They emphasized that pre-washed or ready-to-eat vegetables should be handled with caution.

The experts analyzed 36 packs of pre-washed vegetables bought from four supermarkets in Canterbury, Kent, between May and July 2023. Samples were chosen at random and duplicates of each variety were tested.

The study found that of the samples tested, 12 did not meet the required standards. Of the remaining 24, a worrying 58 percent tested positive for cryptosporidiosis, with 17 percent (four samples) resembling cryptosporidium parvum, known to cause human cryptosporidiosis.

The source of the contamination remains a mystery, but it is believed that it could happen at any point from the farm to the supermarket shelf.

The implications for public health in the UK are significant, prompting calls for more detailed research.

The report points out that pre-washed, ready-to-eat vegetables typically undergo a more rigorous cleaning process using chlorine disinfectants than their unpackaged counterparts, leading consumers to believe they can eat them straight from the package without risk.

However, cryptosporidium oocysts are particularly resistant to chlorine, meaning they can only be effectively removed by boiling or filtration. If not treated correctly, there is a real threat to health.

The experts said in their report: “This pilot study could unlock a potential common source of cryptosporidium infection in different regions of the UK. Vegetables from individual supermarket chains are packed in their own central facilities and then distributed nationally.”

They added: “Our study could contribute to the development of better strategies to prevent Cryptosporidium infection. Further studies could focus on tracking the exact point of contamination and addressing it.”