Food Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, March 11, 2024

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted a Food Safety Alert about an E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese. According to the agency, it knows of 10 illnesses and 4 hospitalizations that have taken place so far in 4 states. CDC believes the illnesses are associated with a brand of raw cheddar cheese.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with state and local partners, is also investigating the outbreak and has posted information about a California producer of dairy products that is voluntarily recalling certain lots of cheddar cheese products. FDA recommends that people should not eat, sell or serve the recalled cheese products due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination concerns.

FDA warns:

Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. coli causing the infection. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems. 

“To help prevent these types of incidents, LA Testing offers food and environmental testing services for E. coli and many other potential contaminants,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These testing services protect the public and provide an important resource to food producers, processors, importers and distributors. If an outbreak has already occurred, testing can also be instrumental in pinpointing the source of contamination.”

To learn more about E. coli or other food and microbial testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.
 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, 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 general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, 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 and San Diego.