Food Testing

Cheese Manufacturer Issues Recall due to Staphylococcus aureus Contamination Concerns

EMSL Analytical provides food testing services to identify microbial contaminants to help prevent foodborne illnesses and costly product recalls.

Cinnaminson, NJ, May 7^th, 2015

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted information about a recall of queso fresco cheese manufactured by a firm in New York due to concerns over possible Staphylococcus aureus contamination.  The product was distributed to stores and delis in the metropolitan New York area, but fortunately no reported illnesses had occurred at the time of the recall notice.

According to the FDA, “A routine sample of the cheese, collected by an inspector from the Department’s Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services on April 15, 2015, was subsequently tested by the New York State Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with high levels of Staphylococcus aureus. The manufacturer was notified of the positive test result and voluntarily recalled the product.”

Staphylococcus aureus can cause food poisoning when a food handler contaminates food and then the food is not properly refrigerated. It multiplies quickly at room temperature to produce a toxin that causes illness. Other sources of food contamination include the equipment and surfaces on which food is prepared.  Common symptoms of illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and mild fever.

“At EMSL, we provide testing services to identify Staphylococcus aureus on surfaces and in foods to help prevent outbreaks and to pinpoint its source if an outbreak is already underway,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “Testing can also determine the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting procedures in high risk locations such as food processing facilities, hospitals and schools.  This type of proactive testing can help prevent infections, potential litigation if there is an outbreak, costly product recalls and the bad publicity that comes with this type of event.”

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about Staphylococcus aureus that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/AC-dAY-DXpQ

To learn more about testing for Staphylococcus aureus 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.