A new study cautions that organic veggies are often infected with bacteria that cause illness.

According to scientists, those who purchase food that has been treated with organic fertilizers such as manure may come to regret their decision.

On organic spinach and lettuce samples, more than 50 species of potentially dangerous bacteria were detected.

More people are eating healthy meals and avoiding pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides, therefore organic fruit and vegetables are becoming more popular.

But, Spanish researchers have discovered that they may be infected with deadly bacteria from human or animal sources.

Vegetables may be exposed to these contaminants during the growing, harvesting and processing stages.

Single-celled organisms such as free-living amoebae (FLA) can be found in vegetables, and they feed on bacteria, some of which can be exceedingly hazardous to humans.

These dangerous bacteria, often known as Trojan horses, resist digestion and pose a major danger to anyone who eats them.

“Food and food-related environments create an ideal meeting place for free-living amoebae and pathogenic bacteria,” said Dr Yolanda Moreno of the Universitat Politècnica de València.

“However, comparatively little is known about the occurrence and diversity of free-living amoebae on organic vegetables and their role in transmitting human pathogens.”

Between November 2020 and May 2021, lettuce and spinach samples were collected from local stores in Valencia.

A unique scientific approach was then applied to detect the DNA of any bacteria present inside the amoebae.

Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas were the most common bacteria found, both of which do not cause disease in humans.

In a third of the samples, however, 52 species of dangerous bacteria were detected, including Legionella, Salmonella, and Arcobacter.

These can lead to serious infections such as pneumonia and gastrointestinal problems.

A fifth of the vegetable samples included a species called Vermamoeba vermiformis, which is known to cause serious illnesses.

Acanthamoeba castellanii, a bacteria that can cause blindness and encephalitis, was found in nearly two-thirds of the samples, or 63%.

Dr. Moreno added: “The presence of bacteria of public health concern contained inside the free-living amoebae suggests that they are vehicles that can easily transmit pathogens capable of reaching humans and causing health problems through contaminated organic vegetables.

“Contamination can arise as a consequence of treating soil with organic fertilisers such as manure and sewage sludge and from irrigation water.”

To learn more about the quality and safety of organic veggies, larger studies from other nations are required.

According to Dr. Moreno, “Leafy greens are particularly susceptible to faecal contamination due to their proximity to the ground and the likelihood of humans consuming them without cooking.

“Our results also stress the need to educate the public on safe and proper handling of fresh organic vegetables before eating them fresh or slightly cooked.”

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