These increases in fruits and vegetables-borne infections may have
resulted from increased consumption of contaminated fruits and vegetables outside the home as most
people spend long hours outside the home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate
that there are 76 million cases of food borne illness each year. Outbreaks with identified etiology were
predominantly of bacterial origin so that the study about microbial ecosystems on the surface of raw fruits
and vegetables is necessary. As consumers, we need to recognize that food safety is important for fresh
fruits and vegetables. In developing countries such as Nigeria, continued use of untreated waste water and
manure as fertilizers for the production of fruits and vegetables is a major contributing factor to
contaminations [20-21]. Therefore, bacteriological safe fruits and vegetables are essential to maximize the
health benefits promised by adequate consumption of these produce. Thus, this study was undertaken to
determine the microbial load of fruits and vegetables sold at Gomboru Market Maiduguri Metropolis,
Nigeria.
MATERIALS