Literature Review

Following the consumption of raw vegetables, there were reported cases of food poisoning due to
microorganisms, such as bacterial and parasite contamination. Microbiological food safety is often
highlighted due to its onset adverse health effects of food poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea,
abdominal pain and cramps. In some severe cases, it could lead to life-threatening and causing permanent
impairment. According to New et al (2017), from the previous year records, which is from 2005 to 2015,
the incidence rate of food poisoning had been fluctuating. In year 2011, Cholera was reported to cause an
outbreak in Limbang, Sarawak. Approximately 111 cases were reported, which make it the high incidence
rate in year 2011. A record of cholera mortality rate was reported as 0.04 per 100,000 population. In
recent year 2015, Typhoid cases were reported in Malaysia, which surged the high incidence rates. Some
victims will develop Typhoid fever and in some severe cases, there was the ulceration of Peyer’s patches
in the ileum, which lead to the multiplication of the bacteria in the reticuloendothelial system followed
by the bacteremia. Astro Awani reported that three states had the higher incidence cases, including Kuala
Lumpur, Selangor and Kelantan. Kelantan had the highest number of Typhoid cases with 151 cases in
October 2015. While Kuala Lumpur and Selangor made up a total of 55 Typhoid cases (New et al, 2017).
Furthermore, Salmonellosis is also another important disease which is cause by bacteria non-typhoidal
Salmonella. Vegetables become contaminated with the organisms while growing, during harvest, post-
harvest handling, or during distribution. Salleh et al (2003), reported that thirty five percent of vegetables
examined were contaminated with Salmonellae.

References :

New, C.Y., Ubong, A., Premarathne, J.M.K.J.K., Thung, T.Y., Lee, E., Chang, W.S., Loo, Y.Y., Kwan, S.Y., Tan,
C.W., Kuan, C.H. & Son, R. (2017). Microbiological food safety in Malaysia from the academician’s
perspective. Food Research, 1 (6), 183 – 202.

Salleh, N.A, Rusul, G., Hassan, Z., Reezal, A., Isa, S.H., Nishibuchim, M., Son, R. (2003). Incidence of
Salmonella spp. in raw vegetables in Selangor, Malaysia. Food Control, 14(7), 475-479.