Microbial vegetable spoilage is generally described by a common term rot, along with the changes in the appearance, such as black rot, gray rot, pink rot, soft rot, stem-end rot. In addition to changes in color, microbial rot causes off-odor and loss of texture. This is more apparent in ready-to-eat cut salads, and sliced vegetables and fruits that are refrigerated for a long time (3 to 4 weeks) and can be temperature abused. Refrigeration, vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging, freezing, drying, heat treatment, and chemical preservatives are used to reduce microbial spoilage of vegetables. Spoilage of canned vegetables, vegetable juices, and fermented vegetables are discussed later in this chapter.