Last month, a Fontana, California company issued a voluntary recall of thousands of packages of kale and edamame salad due to potential concerns over contamination from Salmonella. The announcement was posted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recall list by the company after routine product testing by a supplier of the kale used in the packaged salads revealed the presence of the bacteria.

The packaged salads in question were shipped to a grocery store chains with locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is frequently associated with a number of common foods, including vegetables. For most people who become infected, they may develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness typically lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment. For some people however, the condition can be severe enough that they need to be hospitalized. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Salmonella is estimated to cause one million foodborne illnesses in the United States each year, with 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths.

“Anyone who consumes Salmonella contaminated food products can become ill, but young children, the elderly and people with a weakened immune system are often most susceptible,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Fortunately, in this case, there have not been any reported cases of infections, but if people do get sick there can be substantial medical and legal expenses. Product recalls due to possible contamination issues cause food manufacturers, retailers and distributors to face a myriad of challenges. LA Testing’s network of laboratories provide rapid PCR testing and traditional culturing methods to prevent contaminated products from reaching the public and to help remove these types of risks for those in the food industry.”  

To learn more about testing for foodborne pathogens or other 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 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 general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, 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, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.