Allergic Reaction to Common Food Allergen Takes the Life of a California Teen

Garden Grove, CA, August 5, 2013

Last month, the media brought the tragic case of the death of a 13 year old girl to the nation. The California teen was vacationing with her family in the Eldorado National Forest when she failed to realize a snack she grabbed from a dessert tray contained peanut butter. 

According to reports, the seventh-grader knew of her allergy to peanut butter and is said to have immediately spit out the food when she realized what it contained. Despite her quick reactions and being treated with multiple epinephrine auto-injectors, the young girl died.

The tragedy has brought renewed focus on food allergens. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Each year, millions of Americans have allergic reactions to food. Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening.  There is no cure for food allergies. Strict avoidance of food allergens — and early recognition and management of allergic reactions to food — are important measures to prevent serious health consequences.”

Some reports have shown that up to 8% of all children have a food allergy.  One of California’s leading food testing companies is LA Testing along with their parent company, EMSL Analytical, Inc.  LA Testing provides food allergen testing services to the public, food processors, distributors and retailers.

“The death of the young girl who accidently consumed a product that contained a common food allergen reminds us all of the dangers so many children face when eating foods many of us take for granted,” reported Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Because there is no cure for food allergens, it is important that foods be properly labeled and tested to ensure consumers with food allergens are not accidently exposed.”

LA Testing’s parent company has sponsored an online video about food allergens that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/dhycMNHf1DQ

To learn more about food allergens or other food testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental, food and material testing services and products for professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. LA Testing has laboratories throughout California to service commercial clients and government agencies as well as the general public.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) (800) 755-1794

info@latesting.com