Food Testing Laboratory

Huntington Beach, CA, August 27^th , 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently posted information about a product recall initiated by a company based in Santa Clara, California.  The recall was launched after it was discovered that some of the company’s cookies may contain undeclared tree nuts.

Product labels for specific cases of the company’s vegan fudge chocolate cookies failed to disclose walnuts and people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to them run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The cookies were sold to a local foodservice distributor and subsequently distributed to their customers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) requires that food labels clearly identify the food source names of all ingredients that are, or contain any protein derived from, the eight most common food allergens. These account for 90% of allergic reactions to foods and include tree nuts, milk, crustacean shellfish, fish, eggs, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. In the case of tree nuts, the specific type of nut must be declared.

“At the time of the FDA recall posting there had only been one reported case of an allergic reaction to the walnuts,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is fortunate as food allergies can result in anaphylaxis which can be deadly. This is why food allergen labeling requirements exist today. Helping food manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers comply with FALCPA and other labeling requirements are the food scientists at LA Testing. We offer a wide range of food allergen testing and labeling services to prevent costly product recalls and protect the nation’s food supply.”

To learn more about food allergen, labeling or other food testing 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 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.