Microbiological quality of bagged cut spinach and lettuce mixes.

Analysis of 100 bagged lettuce and spinach samples showed mean total bacterial counts of 7.0 log(10) CFU/g and a broad range of < 4 to 8.3 log10 CFU/g. Most probable numbers (MPN) of > or = 11,000/g coliforms were found in 55 samples, and generic Escherichia coli bacteria were detected in 16 samples, but no E. coli count exceeded 10 MPN/g.