Insights in agricultural practices and management systems linked to microbiological contamination of lettuce in conventional production systems in Southern Brazil

Background: Three conventional lettuce farms were evaluated in Southern Brazil using a standardized self- assessment questionnaire with 69 indicators and a microbiological sampling plan in order to assess the status of current agricultural practices and management systems. The use of both tools aimed to identify the foremost contamination sources and control measures during the crop production. A total of 128 samples were taken (manure, soil, water, workers’ hands and equipment, lettuce...