With the aim of assessing the cumulative risk of lettuce contamination, 45 production chains were investigated. The presence of thermotolerant coliforms, Salmonella and/or parasites was detected in 69% of these, in all steps of the production chain. Quality control in all steps of the lettuce production process should be intensified.
Vegetables; Lettuce; Thermotolerant coliforms; Salmonella; Parasites