Coliformes totales y fecales en lechuga iceberg de mercados de H. Caborca, Sonora

Foodborne diseases are a worldwide problem. The green leafy vegetables that are consumed mainly raw, are one of the main vehicles for the transmission of human pathogens. Among them is iceberg lettuce, which has increased its demand for consumption due to the healthier lifestyles that have been promoted in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the level of total and fecal coliforms in iceberg lettuce obtained randomly and issued in different markets in the city of H. Caborca, Sonora. The processing, isolation and bacterial identification were carried out in accordance with NOM-210-SSA1-2014. 40% of the samples presented total and fecal coliforms that exceeded the permitted levels according to the Official Mexican Standard in vegetables. The study revealed a high level of fecal contamination, this could be due to poor handling of iceberg lettuce and the need for stricter sanitary measures to ensure the safety of this type of food.