Removal of Parasite Transmission Stages from Berries Using Washing Procedures Suitable for Consumers

Abstract

Due to the delicate nature of berries and the reduced shelf-life once washed, producers usually do not wash berries. Therefore, consumers are expected to wash the berries prior to consumption, and this might be a more effective way of infection prevention. However, the efficacy of consumer berry-washing procedures in removing the parasite contaminants from the berries surface has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to compare the efficacy of three different washing techniques in removing parasite contaminants. Three alternatives to washing berries before consumption were compared on berries artificially contaminated with oo/cysts of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia duodenalis. The results show that simple washing of berries under the cold tap for 1 min could remove on average at least 80% of the parasites, except for C. cayetanensis, which seems to be stickier than both G. duodenalis and C. parvum. The percent removal was slightly lower for raspberries as compared to blueberries. Although the differences are expected, a relevant result of the study is that washing contaminated berries prior to consumption by the consumer removes a considerable proportion of parasites and thereby lowers the risk of ingesting parasites’ transmission stages.