The bacterial flora of fruits and vegetables in Lebanon and the effect of washing on the bacterial content.

Washed and unwashed vegetables and fruit specimens including radish, lettuce, mint, carrots, parsley, strawberries, green almond, akadinya, green-gages, cherries, plums, peaches, pears, and apples were investigated for their bacterial content. Tested specimens had a high content of bacteria belonging to the genera Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Providencia, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella. The washing procedure followed was effective in reducing the number of bacteria, but did not eliminate them. Enterobacter agglomerans was present in most specimens tested, and 11 out of 28 E. coli isolates were serotypable and may be enterotoxigenic or enteropathogenic. These findings are of concern in view of the fact that food-borne illnesses including "Traveler's diarrhea" are common in Lebanon.