Lansal Inc. (Hot Mama's Foods) has voluntarily recalled more than 7 tons of hummus available at Trader Joe's and Target stores nationwide due to possible listeria contamination.
In a recall statement it issued on May 19, the Food and Drug Administration said that Lansal has voluntarily recalled more than 14,000 pounds of its dips and humus products as a precautionary measure for possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, a type of bacteria that causes listeriosis, a serious illness associated with infections of the central nervous system including meningoencephalitis, meningitis and brain abscess.
Healthy individuals who are infected may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, high fever, nausea, stiffness and abdominal pain, but more serious and potentially fatal infections can occur in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women who get infected are also at risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. The biggest listeriosis outbreak that occurred in the United States resulted in 147 illnesses, 33 deaths and one miscarriage.
Nobody has gotten ill so far and the recall was initiated following a routine test by the Texas Department of Health of Target Archer Farms Traditional Hummus which found a potential contamination.
Products affected by the recall included the 10-oz. Target Archer Farms Traditional Hummus, 17-oz. Target Archer Farms Roasted Garlic with Roasted Garlic Tapenade, and 17-oz. Target Archer Farms Roasted Red Pepper with Roasted Red Pepper Topping, which are all available across the country.
Also, 8-oz. Giant Eagle Chipotle Hummus and 8-oz. Giant Eagle Garlic Hummus, which are sold in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. Also, 8-oz. Trader Joe's Edamame Hummus, 11.5-oz. Trader Joe's 5 Layered Dip, small; 24-oz. Trader Joe's 5-Layered Dip, large; and 10-oz. Tryst Yellow Lentil Hummus with Sunflower Seeds & Apricots. All of the affected products have use-by dates not later than June 2014.
Lansal has already instructed affected retailers and distributors to remove the affected products. The FDA has likewise advised customers who have bought any of the potentially contaminated products to throw them out or they can return the products to where they have bought them to get a full refund. Consumers who have questions about the recall are also advised to contact the number (877) 550-0694.
Food-borne contamination appears to be prevalent this month. Wolverine Packing Co. in Michigan has also earlier recalled some of its ground beef products for possible contamination of E.coli. A Red Robin employee in Missouri may have also exposed more than 5,000 customers to hepatitis A.
