Recent Trends in Microbiological Safety of Fruits and Vegetables

The number of documented outbreaks of human infections associated with the consumption of raw fruits, vegetables, and unpasteurized fruit juices has increased in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. the number of reported produce-related outbreaks per year doubled between the period 1973-1987 and 1988-1992 (2,24). During both time periods, the etiologic agent was unknown in more than 50% of outbreaks. Outbreaks with identified etiology were predominantly of bacterial origin, primarily

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