Trader Joe is voluntarily recalling two hummus flavors, on the basis that they could be contaminated with listeria. White Bean & Basil hummus and Mediterranean hummus, having the "use by" dates up to and including Dec. 15, are the two products that the company recalls.
The packages have a printed plant identification code "C", according to the Food and Drug Administration, and they come in the form of 16-ounce tubs. The Mediterranean hummus is sold in 19 states and the White Bean & Basil is sold in 30 states, including California, Florida or Louisiana.
Trader Joe Hummus Recall
There has been no incident reported yet that can be traced back to these products. However, as the company found bacteria in a product that was made from the same equipment as the two types of hummus, it decided to address this issue.
"The company subsequently identified the source of the issue and has corrected the matter. All potentially affected products have been removed from store shelves and destroyed," notes the FDA statement.
Customers who have already purchased the potentially harmful product are encouraged to throw it away or return it to the company and get a full refund.
"To clarify, products with plant identification code "J" were produced in a different facility and are NOT affected by this recall. In addition, Trader Joe's Mediterranean Hummus Snack Pack with Pita Chips (SKU #97136) is NOT part of this recall," says the official statement of the recall.
Preventing Listeria Infections
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly or frail people, as well as other people who have a weak immune system. Symptoms that healthy people can experience while infected with the organism include high fever, severe headaches, nausea, stiffness, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Pregnant women are among the most exposed, as the infection could result in miscarriages and stillbirths.
"Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is an important public health problem in the United States," according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention website.
Among the recommendations for the prevention of a listeriosis infection, carefully washing raw vegetables and fruits and keeping the kitchen and the eating environment as clean as possible are the most important. However, as a precautionary measure, cooking meat and poultry thoroughly is also advised, along with storing foods safely.
