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

• Transmission of parasites on fresh produce is an emerging public health issue.
• Contamination involves direct or indirect contact with human or animal faeces.
• Illness outbreaks have been associated with imported produce and food handlers.
• Numerous control measures are available at pre-harvest and post-harvest levels.
• Few barriers to parasite transmission exist at the food handler/consumer level.

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.