The World's Most Concerning Foodborne Parasites

By Sam Lewis

A report from the Food and Agriculture Organization along with the World Health Organization lists the 10 most concerning foodborne parasites across the globe. The list was created by experts from 22 countries and was based on total number of illnesses, illness severity, mortality rate, global allotment, illness potential, and socio-economic impact.

With so much focus on microbial pathogens, parasites in the food supply chain are often overlooked. Improved safety and sanitation practices, particularly in raising livestock and farming, have lowered parasitic infection rates in developed nations. However, in developing countries parasites in food present a very serious problem, affecting millions each year. It is also important to note that parasitic infections do not need to be reported to domestic or international authorities. Oftentimes, information regarding the infection never leaves the hospital.

The report, compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) strives to create awareness to the public not only about the danger of parasites to food, but also what can be done to help developing countries with parasitic issues within the food supply. For farmers, the FAO-WHO suggests using organic fertilizers to reduce parasites, especially in raising fruits and vegetables. The fertilizer should be closely monitored, making sure compost is handled properly and all fecal waste is removed. Additionally, the report advises monitoring the quality of water used in irrigation and washing produce.

Based on previously mentioned factors, according to the FAO and WHO, the world’s most concerning foodborne parasites in decreasing severity are:

• Taenia solium, a tapeworm found in pork
• Echinococcus granulosus, a hydatid worm or dog tapeworm found in fresh produce
• Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm found in fresh produce
• Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoa found in many types meat
• Cryptosporidium spp., a protozoa found in fresh produce, fruit juices, and milk
• Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoa found in fresh produce
• Trichinella spiralis, also known as the pork worm
• Opisthorchiidae, a flatworm found in freshwater fish
• Ascaris spp., a roundworm found in fresh produce
• Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoa found in fresh juices

The report also gives data regarding rates of infection from these parasites around the world. Across Europe, nearly 2,500 people are infected with a parasitic foodborne illness each year, with trichinellosis and echinococcosis being the most prevalent. In the U.S., Neurocysticercosis from Taenia solium is the most common parasitic infection from food, with nearly 2,000 cases reported each year. Africa lacks proper documentation systems to give specific data regarding foodborne parasites. And in Asia, there is also no exact data regarding parasitic infection rates, but the problem is widespread and is knows a major problem to public health across many of the continent’s countries. The findings of the report will be reviewed and analyzed at the next Codex Committee on Food Hygiene session scheduled for Nov 17-21 in Lima, Peru.