Rationale

Vegetables and fruits represent an important source of nutrients and minerals and are increasingly consumed due to their health benefits. However, they can be contaminated with transmittable stages (cysts, oocysts) of intestinal protozoan parasites, including Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Cyclospora cayetanensis. Consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits has been linked to outbreaks in many regions of the world, including Europe. Since contamination can occur during food production and processing, it represents an issue of concern also for the food industry. The Symposium will cover the main issues (from detection to epidemiology and control) and future needs related to this emergent topic, which has never been addressed at the SoIPa Congress.