For many people, blackberries ring alarm bells because they then think of warnings about the fox tapeworm from their childhood. There are often many mysterious speculations and half-truths surrounding this danger.
How do you protect yourself from fox tapeworm when eating blackberries?
To eat blackberries without fear of fox tapeworm, you should only pick fruits that are at least 80 cm high, collect them from fox tapeworm-free areas and wash the berries thoroughly.
The real threat and the statistics
In fact, fox tapeworm is a disease that has been spreading in Europe for several decades and can be dangerous not only for people, but also for numerous animals. Since the course of the disease can sometimes lead to severe disabilities or even death, the factors of infection and the abstract risk potential should also be discussed in principle. However, the reality is that very few people in Central Europe fall victim to this pathogen every year. This is not only due to the fact that the number of foxes in the forests is dwindling, but also because many adults and children are deterred from snacking on sweet berries in the forest.
Wild blackberries and the safety of consumption
Nowadays there are many children and adults who do not collect and eat any fruit in the wild due to fear of the fox tapeworm. However, wild blackberries, with their spicy and aromatic taste, can certainly be used for fresh consumption or drying if the following safety rules are followed:
- only pick fruits that are more than 80 cm high from the ground
- only collect fruit from areas proven to be free of fox tapeworms
- wash the fruit thoroughly several times
In fact, washing the collected blackberries thoroughly and repeatedly with clear water offers the best protection against infection with fox tapeworm. This washes away the pathogen and the tasty fruit can be consumed safely.
Usually no danger in your own garden
If you grow wild or cultivated blackberries in your own garden, you can usually feel safe from fox tapeworm. Unless your property is close to a forest without a fence, contact with an infected fox is very unlikely. However, it doesn't hurt to wash the fruits with clean water before eating them fresh or making them into juices and jams.
Tips & Tricks
When collecting wild blackberries, despite the temptation, do not snack on the fruit directly in the forest. Protect yourself from illness by first washing the fruits thoroughly at home with clean water.
