Food Microbiology - Targeted Surveys - Final Report - Parasites in Fresh Leafy Vegetables - April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2016

​A targeted survey analysed 2,233 samples of leafy vegetables for the presence of DNA from the following enteric parasites of concern: Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, and Giardia. 98.8% of the samples were found to be satisfactory. Cryptosporidium DNA was detected in two samples and Toxoplasma DNA was detected in three samples. Cyclospora DNA was detected in six samples and Giardia DNA was detected in fifteen samples. Due to methodology limitations and the perishable nature of the products, the time elapsed between sample pick up and the completion of analysis, implicated products were no longer available on the market when the parasite DNA was detected. As such, no direct product action was possible. No illnesses were reported in association with any of the positive samples.

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Additional Info

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Last Updated April 17, 2026, 21:28 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 21:28 (UTC)
contact_email cfia.opendatapublishing-publicationdedonneesouvertes.acia@inspection.gc.ca
contact_person {}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2018-08-15 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"en": ["Canada", "Canadian Food Inspection Agency", "Surveillance", "Food Safety", "Food Microbiology", "Targeted Survey", "Retail", "Prevalence", "Parasite", "Pathogen", "Cyclospora", "Cryptosporidium", "Toxoplasma", "Giardia", "Fresh Leafy Vegetables"], "fr": ["Canada", "Agence canadienne d'inspection des aliments", "Surveillance", "Salubrité des aliments", "Microbiologie des aliments", "Étude ciblée", "Détail", "Prévalence", "Parasite", "Pathogène", "Cyclospora", "Cryptosporidium", "Toxoplasma", "Giardia", "Légumes-feuilles frais"]}
open_canada_subject ["information_and_communications"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Microbiologie des aliments - Études ciblées - Rapport final - Parasites dans les légumes-feuilles frais - Du 1er avril 2014 au 31 mars 2016
update_frequency not_planned