Human health is a major concern in the current scientific research areas. The research revolves around various diseases having a major impact on public health as well as country’s economy. One of the major factors associated with increased number of disease outcome is consumptions of contaminated food. Consumption of microbiologically contaminated fresh food and their food products has been linked to several foodborne outbreaks involving E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Occurrence of raw and ready to eat fresh produce as potent source/vehicle for cause of human disease by pathogenic micro-organisms in not new. However, outbreaks of fresh produce based foodborne illness associated with enteric pathogens is less reported and documented. Outbreaks of food-borne illnesses linked with consumption of fresh produce, mainly caused by enteric bacteria such as Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli strains highlight important deficiencies in understanding the ecology of human enteric pathogens outside their animal hosts. The review focuses the recent finding on the interactions of enteric pathogens with fresh produce, the routes associated with contamination, and the phenotypic and genotypic associations leading to the persistence, colonization and change in the ecological and morphological aspects linked to plant-microbe interactions. The comprehensive overview may aid to discuss potential control strategies, which in turn ultimately can lead to management of the food borne illnesses linked to the fresh vegetables and fruits and safer food supply.

Keywords : Food Safety, Fresh Produce, Food Borne Illness, E. Coli, Salmonella, Antibiotic Resistance.