Page 17 - Comprehensive Food Safety

31.03.2020

PARASITES
Parasites live off other living beings. Maggots on food, eggs (like blow fly eggs), tapeworms
found in beef and some other meats and fish are an example of these multi-celled nasties that

live on food. Roundworm in pigs, and other game animals, have been known to cause
trichinella spiralis. Some parasites are carried by water – like giardia, which can live in animals
who contaminate the waterways and then people who drink the water or wash food in the
water – or eat food that has been watered with infected water - can get giardia intestinalis – 1-
3 weeks later. Cyclospora & Cryptosporidium parvum are two other examples of parasites that
can cause foodborne illness. Like giardia, they spread through infected water.

Parasites live off other living things and commonly contaminate food through water. Methods

of control could be – always purchase food off an approved vendor/supplier, use treated water
from an approved source, or boil water for at least one minute before using. Take care that
fruit and vegetables are always washed in water you know is safe and clean.

The table below gives you examples of the common viruses that could cause food-borne illness,
possible symptoms you might see, what kind of food is likely to be contaminated, and how to
prevent contamination.

Possible Symptoms of someone It is most commonly Methods to stop this causing food-
becoming ill from this are: found in foods such as: borne illness:
Cryptosporidium (parasite)
Watery diarrhoea, vomiting, People get this infection • Use water from an approved source
stomach cramps, fever, weight by consuming food (eg • Sick people to stay away from work
loss fish) or water • Boil water for 1 minute to kill the
contaminated with this parasite
Time to strike: 2 - 10 days

Giardia intestinalis (parasite)
Diarrhoea, flatulence, stomach Raw vegetables, drinking • Use clean potable water from an
cramps water, salads, fruit salad, approved source for cooking and
sandwiches cleaning food
Time to strike:1 - 3 weeks • If a food worker is infected, they
should stay home until cleared by a

doctor
• Boil all water before using when
camping

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