Parasites in Norwegian Berries Fuel Call for Better Control
Berries sold in Norway have tested positive for the parasites Cyclospora, Toxoplasma, and Cryptosporidium, suggesting that better contamination control of fresh berries is needed.
A total of 820 samples of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries were tested for Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxoplasma gondii, Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium between August 2019 and November 2020. According to a study published in Food Microbiology, the most contaminated were raspberries, followed by strawberries and blueberries. Cryptosporidium was found in strawberries and raspberries, while blueberries were contaminated mainly with Cyclospora. Toxoplasma and Cyclospora were often detected in raspberries. Echinococcus multilocularis was not detected in the samples.