Drug Resistant Bacteria May be in Contaminated Turkey Burgers

EMSL Analytical provides food testing services for Salmonella and other pathogens to protect consumers and industry.

Cinnaminson, NJ

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that they are, “…collaborating with public health officials in many states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella hadar infections. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. The outbreak strain of Salmonella hadar is resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics, which can increase the risk of hospitalization or possible treatment failure in infected individuals.” The outbreak is being linked with a popular frozen turkey burger that is sold nationwide. So far at least a dozen people from ten states have been confirmed with the illness.

Salmonellosis is the name of the infection caused by bacteria Salmonella. Salmonella has been known to cause illness for over 100 years. According to the CDC, every year, approximately 40,000 cases of the illness are reported in the United States.

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest food pathogen testing laboratories, has extensive expertise in testing for Salmonella and other dangerous food pathogens. “Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL. “The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can even cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe reaction. Established testing methods can prevent these outbreaks,” he continued.

EMSL recently sponsored the development of a public outreach video to inform people about Salmonella dangers. It can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v59mjWwJZ8

To learn more about Salmonella and other food pathogen testing services please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail