Another E. coli Outbreak Focuses Attention on Food Safety & Testing

Late last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there was another multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli). This most recent outbreak follows on the heels of one the previous month that sickened dozens in the Pacific Northwest and resulted in the temporarily closure of 43 restaurants belonging to a national restaurant chain.  

The latest outbreak of E. coli has been linked to contaminated celery in a rotisserie chicken salad from a global retail warehouse club. The specific strain of the bacteria is known as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7). Multiple people have been infected in seven states. Fortunately, there have been no deaths reported but according to the CDC, five sick people have been hospitalized and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.  

Just recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the recall of potentially contaminated products containing the celery to include over 150,000 items that were sold in other warehouse clubs, grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants.  

“These recent cases involving serious illnesses due to the consumption of contaminated food products reminds us all that food safety has to be a top priority,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Not only can these situations lead to hospitalizations and deaths in some circumstances, they also often result in costly lawsuits and bad publicity that can takes years for companies to overcome.”   

To help prevent these types of occurrences, EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides comprehensive testing services to identify E. coli and other foodborne pathogens. These services are available to food manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants and even the general public. EMSL even offers an educational poster about Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli that can be found by clicking here.  

To learn more about testing for E. coli or other food 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 environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for 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

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 8563032503

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