Survival and Growth of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cantaloupe and Watermelon.

The ability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to survive and grow on cubes of cantaloupe and watermelon and on the external rind surface of these fruits was investigated. Populations of the pathogen increased on cubes stored at 25°C but remained constant at 5°C over a 34-h storage period. Growth was observed on the rind of melons stored under high relative humidity at 25°C for 14 to 22 days. The pathogen rapidly died on the rind surface of melons stored at 5°C.