Toxoplasmosis detected in one in every 25 bagged salads in Europe

A large-scale study led by Spanish researchers has detected the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis , in one in every 25 bags of ready-to-eat salads distributed in European countries. Based on this, they recommend that these foods always be properly washed, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women or immunocompromised patients.

As published by these authors in the specialized journal Eurosurveillance , published by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), this is the largest study of its kind to date on this issue. It also addresses a significant public health problem, as an analysis of previous literature conducted by some of the same authors and published in the academic journal Pathogens found that up to one in three Europeans will become infected with toxoplasmosis at some point in their lives.

Spain, in the European average

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that usually enters the human body either through contaminated food (such as undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables) or through contact with cat feces. It generally causes no symptoms and is not dangerous to the general population. However, when it affects pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages or birth defects in children.

To arrive at this discovery, the authors of this research analyzed more than 3,000 samples from Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, and Poland, using a molecular detection technique for Toxoplasma gondii.

Thus, they observed that the presence of the parasite in salad mixes was highest in the United Kingdom (16%) and lowest in the Czech Republic (0%) and Norway (0.5%). Our country was right on the European average, with just 4%.

Precautions for vulnerable groups

Some important aspects need to be clarified. For example, the researchers themselves warn that molecular tests can detect the presence of the parasite, but they don't distinguish whether it is infectious or has been inactivated by the processes the manufacturing companies undergo.

Why some women can eat ham during pregnancy

Even so, the results are worrying considering that a single oocyst (a cyst formed by the zygote of certain parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii ) can trigger infection in a person and that we know that there are other microorganisms that, in this form, are able to survive, for example, water purification processes.

In any case, these findings reinforce the recommendations to thoroughly wash all types of raw vegetables or plants that are going to be consumed, especially by vulnerable populations such as pregnant women who have not previously suffered from the infection (experiencing it confers lasting immunity, and it is common to take a test at the beginning of pregnancy to determine if you have antibodies against the disease).

References

Calero-Bernal Rafael, Betson Martha, Slana Iva, Bartosova Barbora, Marucci Gianluca, Possenti Alessia, Álvarez-García Gema, Bier Nadja, Mayer-Scholl Anne, Berg Rebecca P, Chaudhry Umer, López-Ureña Nadia M, Piotrowska Weronika, Sroka Jacek, Johannessen Gro S, Davidson Rebecca, Dámek Filip, Blaga Radu, Thoumire Sandra, Zalewská Barbora, Waap Helga C, Jokelainen Pikka, Lalle Marco. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in ready-to-eat salad mixes: multi-country survey using a validated and harmonized standard operating procedure, Europe, 2021 to 2022 . Eurosurveillance (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.22.2400594

Calero-Bernal R, Gennari SM, Cano S, Salas-Fajardo MY, Ríos A, Álvarez-García G, Ortega-Mora LM. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in European Residents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Published between 2000 and 2020 . Pathogens (2023). DOI: 10.3390/patho gens12121430.

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