Hummus With The Power To Kill - Why This Brand Recalled Their Hummus

30, 000 cases of Sabra Dressing Co.’s Classic Hummus were recalled because samples were found to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. The popular hummus had only a small batch contaminated, but the side effects of the bacteria are fever, muscle aches diarrhea, and worse. Listeriosis can be fatal.

Sabra Dressing Co. Classic Hummus

Only five SKU (or stock units) of the hummus were found to have been contaminated. It may seem small, but this isn’t the first Listeriosis contamination reported on in recent times. Maybe it’s time to start making your own hummus? It’s easy, and you can make it taste just how you want. Just be sure to use organic lemons, instead of the store-bought juice.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development found the listeria monocytogenes contamination at a Kroger in Port Huron. It was a routine inspection at a grocery store at the end of March, and since then the Classic Hummus has been tracked back to the Virginia Company, who is working with the Food & Drug Administration to ensure things are running clean.

So What Is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes leads to listeriosis, which is usually fine for healthy people. I mean, you get aches, stomach pains, nausea, stiffness, fever, but it can lead anyone with a weakened immune system - small children, the elderly - to a deadly outcome. Listeriosis can lead to fatal infections, when the bacteria goes through the stomach lining.

Five SKUs doesn’t sound bad, but there are other Listeriosis stories out there, and think of how far Sabra deals their hummus. I suppose that’s why they sent out a nationwide recall on all their Classic Hummus products. Luckily, no illnesses have been reported to date.

High End Food (& Drug Administration)

Good on the FDA for responding quickly, but why the problem in the first place? Again, a better option for you and your family is to make your own meals from natural whole foods, but when you buy from the store just remember to stay informed. Always check your local news to see what the latest outbreak is.

Having agencies like the Food & Drug Administration release press material on your brand’s behavior is one way to get noticed, but it’s not the right way. I’m glad the brand issued the recall, but if you are pregnant and have been eating the hummus, you could be in danger. Listeriosis has been linked to miscarriages and stillbirths. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the symptoms of listeriosis.

In the short term, the infection can be treated and isn’t very harmful to your body. If untreated however, the infection becomes more invasive and spreads. Once in the bloodstream the infection can go into the central nervous system and cause meningitis.

The lesson? Homemade hummus.

Sources

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/04/08/listeria-in-hummus-prompts-national-recall-by-sabra/25499003/

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