2.3.1. Management of samples
A total of 118 samples of various fresh cut RTE salad vegetables (lettuce, parsley, arugula, coriander, cucumber, tomato and radish) prepared in 50 restaurants were collected after washing and cutting/chopping. On average, 3 types of vegetables were sampledfrom each restaurant, being subjected to availability and preparation plans at times of visits. They were placed in a sterile bag by food handlers at the end of the preparation process by means of utensils or tools typically used when bringing them into display or storage containers, taking care that they would not touch the inside of the bags.