Assessment of Parasitic Contamination of Lettuce and Cabbages Sold in Selected Markets in Maputo City, Mozambique.

The present study highlights that contamination of raw vegetables with pathogenic parasites in markets might represent a vector for transmission of intestinal and water- borne parasites to consumers. Future studies should investigate the extent of vegetable contamination at each stage of the supply chain from the farm to consumers, as well as its relationship to human parasitic infection and its consequences. Good hygienic practices of farmers, vendors and consumers should be enforced to break the contamination chain. Whenever possible, hydroponic cultivation should be encouraged to avoid the influence of highly contaminated soils.