Food Pathogens Testing Laboratory

Cinnaminson, NJ, November 20^th , 2019

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the 18-month Listeria outbreak tied to cooked, diced chicken has come to an end. As of November 2019, 24 people were sickened, 22 were admitted to the hospital and two cases were fatal due to infections from Listeria monocytogenes in the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) posted a food recall warning for the food company regarding the cooked diced chicken. This product was distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia and likely distributed to other areas.

The recalled product was sold only to institutions, hotels and restaurants, never for retail sales. In this particular outbreak, the diced chicken was supplied to cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes. The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes that was found in the infected patients in the U.S. matched the samples taken from the sick people in Canada. The victims ranged from ages 35 to 92 years old.

Fortunately, no new sick people have been confirmed in the U.S. since the CDC’s first outbreak notice in August. According to the CDC, “During the investigation, Canada did have evidence indicating a specific brand of cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions where people became sick. While whole-genome sequencing showed that the Listeria bacteria making people sick in the U.S. and Canada were closely related genetically, the U.S. investigation did not implicate a specific source of the outbreak.”

EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers a wide range of testing services for microbial pathogens and can identify Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli O157H7 and other contaminants. These tests can be utilized to assess raw materials, finished products and production surfaces. Testing is also instrumental for evaluating cleaning and disinfection procedures at processing, production and manufacturing facilities. In the event that a contaminated product has already caused an outbreak, rapid testing methods from EMSL can facilitate the process of quickly pinpointing its source to prevent further product contamination and illnesses.

To learn more about our 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 one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.