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Packaged Salads Processed at California Facility and Distributed to Dozens of States Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination Concerns

Food Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	3/1/2022
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Packaged Salads Processed at California Facility and Distributed to Dozens of States Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination Concerns
Introduction	LA Testing provides laboratory services to identify Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella and other microbial pathogens to help prevent foodborne illnesses and costly product recalls.
Huntington Beach, CA, March 1^st, 2022 In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted information about the voluntary recall of dozens of packaged salad products sold across the United States and in parts of Canada. The recall was announced after equipment used in the harvesting of the raw iceberg lettuce was found to contain Listeria monocytogenes. According to the recall notice: Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1,600 people get listeriosis, the name of the infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, each year in the U.S.” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Tragically, CDC also reports that about 260 die annually from the infection. At LA Testing, we are dedicated to helping companies and public health officials in their efforts to avoid contaminated foods reaching the public. With multiple laboratories in California, our food scientists offer testing services to identify a wide range microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants. These services are instrumental for testing raw ingredients and finished products, as well as for evaluating harvesting equipment, production surfaces, and for confirming disinfection procedures at processing and manufacturing facilities.” To learn more about microbial testing or other food, beverage and labeling services, please visit www.LATesting.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.