F-specific coliphages detected by PCR in fresh market-ready produce.

Reports on the detection of F-specific coliphages by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in fresh market ready produce. Examination of samples of fresh produce to determine the occurrence of Escherichia coli, F-specific coliphages, and noroviruses; Failure of reverse-transcriptase-PCR to detect norovirus RNA in any of the samples; Usefulness of F-specific coliphages as indicators of fecal contamination of produce and its virological risks.