Abstract
ABSTRACTPreliminary studies in two fresh market tomato packing houses in the Charleston, SC area showed significant differences in microbial counts on tomatoes by packing house, sampling point in packing lines, and season. Higher total plate counts, Enterobacteriaceae counts, and mold counts were found in one packing house, probably due to a failure to maintain adequate chlorine in the wash water. Total plate and Enterobacteriaceae counts were higher on tomatoes packed in July than in November. Enterobacteriaceae and molds isolated from the tomato samples were those normally associated with soil‐borne contamination. Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia marcescens were predominant Enterobacteriaceae identified; Alternaria, Penicillium, and Cladosporium were the predominant molds isolated and identified.
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