Food Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, June 20, 2023

Last month, a company based in California announced a voluntary recall of Black Fungus, also known as Nam Meo. The dried fungus, an ingredient used in some Asian soups, stir-fries and other foods, was imported from China. The product, packaged in 2.5 ounce containers, has a best use date of October 2024. It was distributed to grocery stores in California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Washington, Arizona, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

The recall was posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). According to the recall notice, the company was informed that the state of Pennsylvania collected a sample of the product and found traces of three types of Salmonella.

Most people who become infected from eating foods contaminated with Salmonella develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours. The illness typically lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment. For some, the condition can be severe, requiring hospitalization. Some groups are more at risk if they accidently consume Salmonella contaminated foods, they include young children, the elderly and people with a weakened immune system.

“Fortunately, at the time of the recall posting, there had been no reported incidents due to the consumption of the Nam Meo,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is good news as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Salmonella causes up to 1.2 million illnesses and hundreds of deaths each year in the United States alone.”

Dedicated to protecting consumers, and helping to prevent costly product recalls, are the food scientists at LA Testing. Their network of laboratories in California offer testing services to identify a wide range microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants. These services are instrumental for testing imported foods, raw ingredients and finished products. 

To learn more about food 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 food, consumer product, 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.