Health authorities have issued a warning about ready-to-eat salad bags over fears they could be contaminated with a deadly parasite, as food poisoning cases rise in the UK.
Inspections have revealed that pre-prepared salad leaves, sold across Europe (including the UK), may contain a deadly germ that causes brain damage and breathing difficulties.
According to studies, 4 percent of 3,320 samples taken between October 2021 and September 2022 were found to be contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii, a dangerous parasite that is transmitted through contact with animal feces and that spreads in contaminated water or food — especially in salad that has not been properly washed.
The risk is greater than it seems
Scientists warned in the journal Eurosurveillance that contamination could be much more widespread, as laws in the UK and EU do not require systematic testing for parasites in fresh produce.
The National Institute of Health in the UK says that half of the population has signs of previous toxoplasma infection by the age of 50, although most cases go unnoticed.
This parasite can cause flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, but in severe cases:
Brain damage
Lung and heart complications
Life-threatening in people with weak immune systems (such as cancer patients)
Infection during pregnancy is particularly dangerous, increasing the risk of miscarriage and foetal malformations, the NHS warns.
Most cases can be cured on their own or with antibiotics, but some require hospital treatment.
Alarm about dangerous E.coli – it is also linked to salad
This warning comes at the same time as the alarming increase in cases of a rare strain of E.coli (STEC) in the UK, which has been linked to colon cancer.
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain, vomiting
Bloody diarrhea
In severe cases: kidney failure, blood disorders, even death
About 288 people were affected by this strain this year, including 3 deaths and 9 cases of HUS syndrome (which can lead to kidney failure).
Experts believe that the Apollo variety of butterhead lettuce was the source of the outbreak. The lettuce's soft texture and the fact that it is not cooked make it ideal for bacteria like E.coli.
What is happening?
E.coli cases have increased 10-fold in England in the last seven years
Half of E.coli outbreaks are caused by lettuce
Experts say the causes are: climate change, better reporting of cases, and the increase in vulnerable consumers.
Expert advice:
Always wash lettuce with cold water, in a deep bowl.
Keep the salad in the refrigerator below 4°C to slow the spread of bacteria.
Never consume it without washing it, even if it is "ready to eat"
Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia said:
"Water during lettuce growth sits on the leaves and carries bacteria. Its surface is difficult to clean. The biggest risk comes from bacteria attached to the surface."
Key facts (2024–2025):
1,825 food safety incidents recorded in the UK alone
436 cases were for bacterial contamination
Salmonella is the most common cause
Listeria and Hepatitis A are also on the rise
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