Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted information about the voluntary recall of one lot of a raw frozen dog food that had been distributed to parts of the United States and Canada. The recall occurred after routine sampling by the FDA revealed a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in one sample of the pet food.

According to the recall notice:
Listeria monocytogenes rarely cause illness in dogs, but it is possible. Dogs can have mild symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Even if a dog is not showing symptoms, it can still be a carrier of the bacteria and spread it to humans. If a dog has consumed the recalled product, pet parents are encouraged to consult their veterinarian.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, the name of the infection caused by Listeria. The agency also reports that about 260 die annually from it.

“People that handle contaminated pet food are also at risk of this bacterial infection,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing's Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, we are dedicated to helping companies, regulatory agencies and health professionals in their efforts to prevent contaminated foods from reaching consumers. With multiple laboratories in California, we offer testing services to identify Listeria and a wide range of other microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants. These services are instrumental for testing raw ingredients and finished products. Testing is also a key tool for evaluating harvesting equipment, production surfaces, and for confirming disinfection procedures at processing and manufacturing facilities.”

To learn more about microbial testing or other food, beverage and labeling 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 food, environmental and indoor air quality testing for asbestos, mold, bacteria, 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 and San Diego.

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