Abstract

RIVERA-JACINTO, Marco; RODRIGUEZ-ULLOA, Claudia  and  LOPEZ-ORBEGOSO, John. Fecal contamination in green vegetables that are sold in markets of Cajarmarca city, Peru. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2009, vol.26, n.1, pp.45-48. ISSN 1726-4634.

We determined the level of fecal coliforms and the frequency of Escherichia coli in 85 samples of vegetables that were taken from randomly and were sold in the main markets of Cajamarca. Processing, isolation and bacterial identification was performed according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 40% of samples presented fecal coliforms, with a high index per gram (MPN/g) of E. coli and a high frequency of this in the parsley and lettuce. The analysis reveals a high level of fecal contamination, an unacceptable state of health and need for control measures against the risk that this poses to health.

Keywords : Food hygiene; Escherichia coli; Coliforms; Vegetables; Greens.

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