Evaluation of Contamination of Fruits and Vegetables with Pathogenic and Toxin Producing Microorganisms in Iran

Although consequence of the recent outbreak of shigellosis in Isfahan and Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari provinces in terms of number of people who suffered from the disease was limited¡ this outbreak has not led to any deaths¡ but has inducted huge problems to the country’s health system¡ disrupted the society’s psychological security and created difficulties for parts of the society. A look at America’s Science Academy manifest issued in 2001 which has emphasized that millions of people are suffering from such contagious diseases¡ thousands are dying even in communities with high levels of health care as a result of consuming contaminated foods. Therefore¡ serious consideration towards the issue should be taken. Great changes in people’s life styles and its accelerated progress¡ the emergence of widespread climate and environmental changes and high remedy costs¡ demand great and profound attention the “prevention¡ better than treatment” motto¡ a matter that if neglected¡ the issue may lead to irreparable consequences. Fruits and vegetables play an important role in health maintenance and human life style betterment. Everyday consumption of fruits and vegetables can have positive effects on the prevention of disease outbreak. Fruits and vegetables are originated from different parts of the plants (leaves¡ roots¡ tubers¡ fruits and flowers). Plants growing conditions and its edible parts locality¡ harvest and preservation conditions¡ transportation and finally processing procedures can affect the product’s microbial status. Microbial quality and the contamination degree of water in use are also of importance. Alongside¡ giving attention to sprouted seeds is significant due to the fact that during the sprouting process¡ the plant’s protecting crust goes aside and the seed itself is exposed to microbial attacks. On the other hand¡ widespread food supply has led to fruits and vegetables being shipped from the furthest places worldwide¡ so obviously some consequences of this phenomenon becoming pervasive should be of attention. In most countries¡ fruits and vegetables have played role in the start and outbreak of foodborne diseases. These outbreaks are different by means of population size and differ from a few to thousands of people. The current article reviews the cases of outbreaks mostly reported in Iran¡ while a number of important cases all over the world have also been referred.