Technical Abstract: The inhibitory effect of fresh peeled baby carrot and associated microflora on the viability and growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Pseudomonas marginalis in vitro and in situ was investigated. The population of viable L. monocytogenes was reduced by more than 2 log units following the dipping of sliced baby carrots in the bacterial suspension for 2 min. However, other pathogens in the suspensions subjected to the same treatment showed no reduction in the population. Filter-sterilized carrot homogenates exhibited antimicrobial activity and were able to support the full growth of each pathogen. However, the growth of each pathogen in carrot homogenates co-inoculated with native microflora from baby carrot (BG) was reduced by 2 to 3 log units. The growth of each pathogen on bell pepper disks was also inhibited in the presence of BG. After incubation at 20 deg C for 2 days, the growth of each pathogen on pepper disks was reduced by 2 to 4 log units depending upon the BG and pathogen ratio (1:1, 10:1, or 100:1) applied. After incubation at 8 deg C for 8 days, the population of L. monocytogenes or Y. enterocolitica on pepper disks increased from 103 to 107 cfu per disk in the absence of BG. However, in the presence of BG, the growth of either pathogen on pepper disks was completely inhibited. The inhibitory effect of baby carrots on pathogens is in part due to its antimicrobial activity and in part due to the antagonistic action of associated microflora.