Assessment of microbial burden on vegetable salads for food safety and human health

Plates of mixed greens salads have become fundamental piece of individuals’ eating routine all around the globe. They are normally consumed raw and with no treatment or careful washing; henceforth they have been accounted for to become vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic microorganism related with human diseases. Therefore, in present study fresh samples of salads consisting of various fruits and vegetable salads were collected from different areas in vicinity Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala (HR), India and evaluated for bacterial loads using standard microbiological techniques. Most of samples showed presence of high amount mesophillic bacteria. Some samples further showed the presence of pathogens like Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus spp., which were confirmed by using various biochemical test like triple sugar iron test, catalase test and sugar fermentation test etc. Most of microorganisms were found to be susceptible towards various antibiotics used in the study. The study may be helpful to policy makers in planning of food safety and health security in future for food borne disease free livelihood, sustainable development, economy and mankind.