The prevalence of generic E. coli at levels above the maximum acceptable concentration of 100 CFU or MPN/g was also found to be below 1% in all commodities targeted, which is considered to be very low. Generic E. coli is typically found in the intestinal tracts and in the feces of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and, as such, is often used as an indicator of fecal contamination due to
insufficient cleanliness during production, distribution and/or sale of produce. Higher levels of generic E. coli imply that there is a possibility that other enteric bacteria, such as the pathogens investigated in this study, could be present.