Buona Vita Inc., based in Bridgeton New Jersey, recalled 324,770 pounds of meat products in May. The recalled products include meatballs, chicken and beef patties, and chicken and beef loafs, all frozen and ready-to-eat. According to a written statement from the USDA, the health risk related to the recall has been described as 'high'.

So far, there have been no reported illnesses related to the company's product. Listeria bacteria can cause Listeriosis sickness in humans, which has a long incubation period. Symptoms may not surface for two months after eating contaminated food. Listeria outbreaks are usually associated with deli meats, unpasteurized cheeses, and refrigerated seafood products.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has "invasive" infection, in which the bacteria spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract.'

'In testing for foodborne pathogens like Listeria, EMSL Analytical's Cinnaminson, NJ provides the local food industry with scientifically and legally defensible data in our analytical reports,' states EMSL's National Food Microbiology Supervisor, Joy Dell'Aringa, M.S., R.M. (N.R.M.), C.F.S.P. 'Our dedicated microbiologists maintain strict adherence to our Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs and regulatory requirements.'

EMSL has a free poster available under the resources link at www.EMSL.com which outlines the dangers and sources of Listeria. Visit our website to obtain your free poster!

For more information on EMSL's food testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, email  info@emsl.com , or visit www.EMSL.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.