Listeria Testing

Last month, a major ice cream producer announced a recall of some of their products due to concerns over the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The recall happened after an outbreak of listeriosis was identified at a hospital in Kansas where patients were served the ice cream. 

Five patients who were treated in a single hospital in Kansas were infected with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Three of these strains, which are highly similar, have also reportedly been found in products manufactured by the ice cream producer.  All five patients were adults and three deaths have been reported so far.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now involved in the investigation and the production line where the ice cream products were produced has been shut down. 

According to the FDA, “Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating the ice cream should seek medical care and tell their health care provider about any history of eating the ice cream. Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food.”

“Listeria is the 3^rd leading cause of death from food poisoning according to the CDC,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “It and other foodborne pathogens are a threat for the entire population, but this is especially true for people who may have a weakened immune system and are being treated in a hospital or other healthcare environment.  At EMSL, our food scientists can help avert these types of outbreaks by using advanced testing techniques to identify Listeria and other foodborne pathogens.  These services, when provided to food manufacturers, can help to prevent contaminated foods from reaching the public or to identify the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.”

EMSL has sponsored an educational video about Listeria that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/iXQOwCfZQek.

To learn more about testing for Listeria and 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 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.