Protozoa as the “Underdogs” for Microbiological Quality Evaluation of Fresh Vegetables

The monitoring of the microbial quality fresh products in industrial environment has mainly focused on bacterial indicators. Protozoa, such as Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Cyclospora cayetanensis, are routinely excluded from detection surveillance systems, despite guidelines regulations that support need for tracking these pathogens food products. Previous studies performed by our laboratory, within scope SafeConsume project, clearly indicated consumption produce may be a source T. thus posing risk contraction toxoplasmosis susceptible consumers. Therefore, preliminary work was order to assess microbiological vegetables, highlighting not only bacteria (Escherichia. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp.), but also zoonotic protozoa G. duodenalis spp. Although all samples were found acceptable based bacteriological parameters, cysts oocysts observed vegetables. Moreover, it possible genetically characterize positive assemblage A, genotype poses risks human health. results, they highlight include criteria foodstuffs, required EU Law No. 1441/2007, improve inactivation removal procedures (oo)cysts water.