BackgroundFruits are a vital part of human nutrition because they contain the growth factors required to maintain normal health. Fruits are also known to harbour a wide range of parasites and bacteria. Consumption of unwashed raw fruits can lead to foodborne pathogens. This study was carried out to examine the presence of parasites and bacteria on fruits sold at two major markets in Iwo, Osun state, South-West Nigeria.MethodsTwelve different fresh fruits and seven different fresh fruits were purchased from different vendors from “Odo-ori” and “Adeeke” markets, respectively. The samples were transported to the microbiology laboratory of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun state for bacteriological and parasitological analysis. The parasites were concentrated by sedimentation and were examined using a light microscope, while for the microbial analysis, culturing and biochemical tests were also carried out on all the samples.ResultsThe parasites discovered includeFasciola hepaticaeggs,Ascaris lumbricoidesandStrongyloides stercoralislarvae, hookworm larvae, andTaeniaandTrichuris trichiuraeggs.Ascaris lumbricoideswas most frequently detected (40.0%). Bacteria isolated from the sampled fruits includeKlebsiella oxytoca,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Enterobacter aerogenes,Escherichia coli,Kluyvera ascorbata,Proteus mirabilis,Staphylococcus intermedius,Staphylococcussp.,Micrococcus sedentarius,Corynebacterium diphtheriae, andStreptococcus zooepidemicus.ConclusionThe presence of parasites and bacteria on the fruits observed indicates that public health diseases may arise from their consumption. Awareness and education among farmers, vendors, and consumers about the importance of personal and food hygiene through proper washing or disinfection of fruits could reduce the risk of parasites and bacterial fruit contamination.