Food Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, June 12, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted a Food Safety Alert about an E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnut halves and pieces. At the time of the initial posting, the agency acknowledged 12 illnesses and 7 hospitalizations that had taken place in 2 states that are believed to be associated with the walnuts.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with CDC, state and local partners, is also investigating the outbreak and has posted information about a California supplier of bulk organic walnuts that is voluntarily recalling walnut halves and pieces. They recommend that people should not eat, sell or serve the recalled walnuts due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination concerns.

FDA warns consumers of the following E. coli infection symptoms:

Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later. The severity or presence of certain symptoms may depend on the type of pathogenic E. coli that is 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 contaminated foods from ever reaching consumers, LA Testing offers food and environmental testing services for E. coli and many other potential contaminants to food producers, processors, importers and distributors,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These testing resources protect the public and businesses. They can also be instrumental in pinpointing the source of contamination if an outbreak has already occurred to prevent more infections and additional costly product recalls.”

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.