This study estimates illness (diarrhea) risks from fecal pathogens that can be transmitted via fecal-contaminated fresh produce. To do this, a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) framework was developed in National Capital Region, India based on bacterial indicator and pathogen data from fresh produce wash samples collected at local markets. Produce wash samples were analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli, total Bacteroidales) and pathogens (Salmonella, Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)). Based on the E. coli data and on literature values for Cryptosporidium and norovirus, the annual mean diarrhea risk posed by ingestion of fresh produce ranged from 18% in cucumbers to 59% in cilantro for E. coli O157:H7, and was <0.0001% for Cryptosporidium; for norovirus the risk was 11% for cucumbers and up to 46% for cilantro. The risks were drastically reduced, from 59% to 4% for E. coli O157:H7, and from 46% to 2% for norovirus for cilantro in post-harvest washing and disinfection scenario. The present QMRA study revealed the potential hazards of eating raw produce and how post-harvest practices can reduce the risk of illness. The results may lead to better food safety surveillance systems and use of hygienic practices pre- and post-harvest.

这项研究估计了粪便病原体的疾病（腹泻）风险，这些病原体可以通过受粪便污染的新鲜农产品传播。为此，在印度国家首都地区，根据细菌指标和来自当地市场采集的新鲜农产品洗涤样品的病原体数据，开发了定量微生物风险评估（QMRA）框架。分析农产品洗涤样品中的粪便指示菌（大肠杆菌，总杆菌）和病原体（沙门氏菌，产志贺毒素的大肠杆菌（STEC），肠出血性大肠杆菌（EHEC））。基于大肠杆菌数据和隐孢子虫的文献价值和诺如病毒，大肠杆菌O157：H7摄入新鲜农产品造成的年平均腹泻风险介于黄瓜中的18％到香菜中的59 ％，隐孢子虫的<0.0001％；对于诺如病毒，黄瓜的风险为11％，香菜的风险为46％。在收获后的洗涤和消毒过程中，大肠杆菌O157：H7的风险从59％降低到4 ％，诺如病毒的香菜从46％降低到2％。当前的QMRA研究揭示了进食生农产品的潜在危害以及收获后的做法如何减少患病的风险。结果可能会导致建立更好的食品安全监控系统，并在收获前和收获后采取卫生措施。