FECAL CONTAMINATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DURING CULTIVATION AND PROCESSING FOR MARKET. A REVIEW1

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Abstract
Bacteriological data collected from various field studies involving irrigation water, field crops, and soils were studied with respect to sources and magnitude of fecal contamination associated with cultivation, harvesting, and marketing of fruits and vegetables. Other reports concerned with contamination during agricultural activities were reviewed. Fecal coliform densities proved to be a better measurement of the probable occurrence of waterborne pathogens than any single test for a specific pathogenic group. When the fecal coliform density per 100 ml was above 1,000 organisms in various stream waters, Salmonella occurrence reached almost 100 per cent frequency. These data support the establishment of the proposed limit of 1,000 fecal coliforms per 100 ml of irrigation water, but approved sanitation practices must accompany (or supplement) use of this bacteriological standard. A concept of multiple safeguards to limit the public health hazard associated with poor quality irrigration water, irrigation farming practices, and market preparation of produce is discussed from the microbiological viewpoint.

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