California Company Recalls Beef and Poultry Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced this summer that a company in California was recalling almost 13,000 pounds of beef and chicken products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The products contained wheat, a known allergen, which was not declared on the product labels according to FSIS.

The issue was discovered during routine label verifications performed by FSIS and involved packages of uncooked, marinated, diced beef and chicken cubes that were produced from June 9 through July 10, 2019. While there had been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products at the time of the recall notice, FSIS is concerned that some product may be in freezers behind the deli counter in grocery stores.

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 wheat, eggs, milk, crustacean shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts and soybeans.

“According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), wheat allergies are most common in children,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “For those with food allergies, exposure to a food allergen can cause everything from a mild reaction to a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.”

The food scientists at LA Testing are available to assist food manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and health officials with FALCPA and other labeling requirements. They offer a wide range of testing and labeling services because stopping contaminated products from reaching consumers is crucial.

To learn more about food allergen, labeling or other 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, San Diego and Ontario.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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