Fresh-cut vegetables harbour lower numbers of microorganisms than unwashed whole
vegetables, as a result of washing in chlorinated water. Slicing, dicing and shredding procedures, as well as temperature abuse during storage, can, however, result in increases in populations of mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (Brackett 1992; Nguyen-the and Carlin 1994) associated with fresh-cut products. The effects of processing and storage conditions on the survival and growth of pathogenic microorganisms on fresh-cut produce is a public health concern. 28 Microbes associated with fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products can vary greatly in accordance with the produce type and storage conditions. Temperature plays a significant role in determining the nature of the microflora associated with refrigerated fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The numbers and kinds of microorganisms associated with fresh-cut produce are highly variable. Mesophilic bacteria from plate count studies typically ranged from 103 to 109 CFU/g. Total counts on products after processing ranged from 103 to 106 CFU/g (Nguyen-the and Carlin 1994).2 Vegetables are susceptible to attack by bacterial pathogens owing to their neutral pH. Spoilage of fresh-cut vegetables by bacteria is characterized by brown or black discoloration, production of off-odours, loss of texture and soft rot. Fruit products undergo fermentative spoilage by lactic acid bacteria or yeasts and wilting owing to vascular infections (Heard 2000).