Deadly brain-eating parasite is found in ‘contaminated' salad bags sold in UK supermarkets – 7 symptoms to watch out for
HEALTH warnings have been issued over salad bags due to potentially deadly contamination fears.
The popular ready-to-eat product sold across UK supermarkets has been associated with a rise in food poisoning cases.
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1
UK shoppers could be at risk of a brain-eating parasite found in some ready-to-eat salad bags (stock image)
Credit: EPA
Research carried out by the journal
This came after over 4% of the leaves in salad samples, tested between October 2021 and September 2022, were found to be contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts.
"The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans," the research said.
"People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite.
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"We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii."
The bacteria, which can be passed on through contact with cat faeces, has been known to contaminate food and water.
This makes salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria to grow.
According to research cited by
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Most read in Health
The
They added that once acquired, these parasites remain in human tissues for life.
'Contaminated' children's cough syrup recalled nationwide over ingredient inside that could kill – parents must act now
Health risks
This can cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, often a result cancer treatments or immunosuppressant drugs.
The
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"[Always] wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean," the experts advised.
"You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water."
While toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own, the NHS highlighted that it can cause serious problems in certain situations.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis
According to the NHS, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause symptoms and often goes undetected. However, it can also result in flu-like symptoms such as:
High temperature
Headache
Sore throat
Aching body
Swollen glands
Feeling tired
Feeling sick or being sick
More serious symptoms can include:
Confusion
Blurred vision
Slurred speech
Unsteady walking
This includes if you get it while you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system .
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If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart, or lungs.
And if you experience more severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, or slurred speech, you should also seek medical help.
Positive samples across Europe
Samples of the leaves were collected in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain as well as the UK.
Majority of the positive samples were collected in winter and packaged in the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, and Denmark.
Advertisement
Scientists have urged for better control measures to help protect prevent infection.
"This is particularly relevant since ready-to-eat salads are intended to be consumed raw without any further treatment by the consumer," they pointed out.
"Future work should investigate presence of [the parasite] in different steps of the ready-to-eat production to minimise infection risk for humans."
Rise in food poisoning cases
The warning follows alerts relating to a significant rise in serious food poisoning cases.
Advertisement
Health watchdogs reported a spike
in Campylobacter and Salmonella infections across
England
compared to previous years.
The latest
from the
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
show
ed that
Campylobacter
infections increased by 17% between 2023 and 2014 - from 60,055 to 70,352.
According to UKHSA, this represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Meanwhile, Salmonella infections also reached a decade high, according to data.
Advertisement
They rose by with a 17% as well, from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.
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Deadly brain-eating parasite is found in ‘contaminated' salad bags sold in UK supermarkets – 7 symptoms to watch out for
HEALTH warnings have been issued over salad bags due to potentially deadly contamination fears. The popular ready-to-eat product sold across UK supermarkets has been associated with a rise in food poisoning cases. Advertisement 1 UK shoppers could be at risk of a brain-eating parasite found in some ready-to-eat salad bags (stock image) Credit: EPA Research carried out by the journal This came after over 4% of the leaves in salad samples, tested between October 2021 and September 2022, were found to be contaminated with toxoplasma gondii oocysts. "The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause severe disease in humans," the research said. "People can acquire the parasite by eating raw or undercooked infected meat or unwashed fruits or vegetables contaminated with the parasite. Advertisement "We wanted to investigate T. gondii in commercial ready-to eat (RTE) salads in European countries to estimate the importance of these food products as sources of T. gondii." The bacteria, which can be passed on through contact with cat faeces, has been known to contaminate food and water. This makes salad that is washed or watered with dirty water a prime place for bacteria to grow. According to research cited by Advertisement Most read in Health The They added that once acquired, these parasites remain in human tissues for life. 'Contaminated' children's cough syrup recalled nationwide over ingredient inside that could kill – parents must act now Health risks This can cause a problem later in life for people who have a weakened immune system, often a result cancer treatments or immunosuppressant drugs. The Advertisement "[Always] wash fruit and vegetables with water before you eat them to make sure that they are clean," the experts advised. "You should wash them under a running tap, or in a bowl of fresh water, making sure to rub their skin under the water." While toxoplasmosis is not usually serious and normally gets better on its own, the NHS highlighted that it can cause serious problems in certain situations. Symptoms of toxoplasmosis According to the NHS, toxoplasmosis does not usually cause symptoms and often goes undetected. However, it can also result in flu-like symptoms such as: High temperature Headache Sore throat Aching body Swollen glands Feeling tired Feeling sick or being sick More serious symptoms can include: Confusion Blurred vision Slurred speech Unsteady walking This includes if you get it while you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system . Advertisement If you have a weakened immune system toxoplasmosis may cause problems with your eyes, brain, heart, or lungs. And if you experience more severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, or slurred speech, you should also seek medical help. Positive samples across Europe Samples of the leaves were collected in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain as well as the UK. Majority of the positive samples were collected in winter and packaged in the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, and Denmark. Advertisement Scientists have urged for better control measures to help protect prevent infection. "This is particularly relevant since ready-to-eat salads are intended to be consumed raw without any further treatment by the consumer," they pointed out. "Future work should investigate presence of [the parasite] in different steps of the ready-to-eat production to minimise infection risk for humans." Rise in food poisoning cases The warning follows alerts relating to a significant rise in serious food poisoning cases. Advertisement Health watchdogs reported a spike in Campylobacter and Salmonella infections across England compared to previous years. The latest from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show ed that Campylobacter infections increased by 17% between 2023 and 2014 - from 60,055 to 70,352. According to UKHSA, this represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade. Read more on the Irish Sun Meanwhile, Salmonella infections also reached a decade high, according to data. Advertisement They rose by with a 17% as well, from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.
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