5 Foods That Can Carry Parasites — And How to Eat Them Safely

You love a crisp salad.

A juicy steak.

Fresh berries straight from the basket.

And you should.

But you’ve probably heard the warnings:

“Wash your produce!”

“Never eat raw pork!”

“That sushi could have worms!”

It’s true: some foods can carry parasites — microscopic organisms that, in rare cases, can make you sick.

But here’s the good news:

Foodborne parasitic infections are rare — especially in countries with strong food safety standards.

And almost all are preventable with simple, smart habits.

You don’t need to avoid fresh food.

You just need to handle it safely.

Let’s explore 5 foods that have been linked — in rare cases — to parasites, and, more importantly, how to enjoy them safely every time.

 How Can Food Carry Parasites?

Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia, or tapeworms can contaminate food through: