Organic vegetables are often contaminated with harmful disease-causing bacteria, warns a new study. People who buy produce that has been treated with organic fertilisers such as manure could live to regret their choice, say scientists.
More than 50 species of potentially harmful bacteria were discovered on samples of organic spinach and lettuce. Organic fruit and vegetables are becoming increasingly popular as more people eat healthy diets and avoid pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides.
But now scientists in Spain have found they could be contaminated with harmful bacteria from human or animal sources. These are likely transferred to the vegetables during their growth, harvest, transport, processing and handling.
