ABSTRACT

B. cereus was associated with one outbreak related to the consumption of mixed seed sprouts (Portnoy et al., 1976). The organism was subsequently shown to be present at relatively high levels in a variety of seeds sold for sprouting. Clostridium perfringens was associated with one outbreak epidemiologically linked to the consumption of salad (Styliadis, 1993). Illness caused by this organism is usually associated with gravies and meat dishes. Large numbers of the organism are required to cause illness and anaerobic conditions and a nutrient-rich environment are essential for growth of the organism. It is not clear how salad (presumably lettuce salad) would provide these conditions.