Escherichia coli (E. coli)

E. coli is used as an indicator organism. Common in human and animal intestinal flora, it is used as an indicator of faecal contamination as well as the effectiveness of hygiene measures in food production facilities for both raw commodities and heat processed foods. It is both a type coliform & enterobacteriaceae, although it can be used as a more specific indicator of faecal contamination than either. It can also be a good indicator good handling of raw fruit and vegetables during growth and harvest.