Emerging risk of infestation and contamination of dried fruits by mites in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The introduction of live insects into human food is rare in developed countries. However, we report, for the first time, an emerging risk that exists from dried fruit in Central Europe. Recently, massive and frequent infestation of dried fruit imported from the Mediterranean region by the mite, Carpoglpyhus lactis L. (Acarina: Carpoglyphidae), has been found. In 180 samples taken from supermarkets, 13% were contaminated; the contamination levels ranged from 0 to 660 mites per g of dried fruit. The contamination was found in dried apricots, figs, plums and raisins. To estimate the risks and food preferences of C. lactis, its growth rate was examined under laboratory conditions. Starting with a hypothetical population of 10 mites per g of dried fruit, the risk level of 1000 mites per g of dried fruit is reached at 42 days for dried figs, 49 days for dried pineapple and 63 days for dried apricots, dates and plums at 25°C and 85% relative humidity. We found that mites are able to enter every dried fruit packing material tested, including polypropylene and aluminum foils. This indicates that mites can move from package to package in supermarkets. Mites are known as allergen producers and vectors of mycotoxin-producing fungi. These findings indicate that an increased risk of C. lactis contamination exists in dried fruit.

Keywords:

• health significance
• exposure
• bioassay
• additives, general
• packaging
• dried fruit

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by project No. 0002700604 provided by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture. The authors thank Zuzana Kučerová for her review of an earlier draft of this manuscript and for confirming the identification of Carpoglyphus lactis, and Tereza Michnova and Sarka Tuckova for their technical assistance. The authors are obligated to the anonymous referees for valuable comments.