Sabra Dipping Co. has recalled most of its hummus with best-by dates before January 23, 2017 because it may contain Listeria.
The is the second Sabra hummus recall for Listeria. In April 2015, Sabra issued another recall after a sample of Classic Hummus from a grocery store in Michigan tested positive for Listeria.
This time, Listeria was not found in any finished products — but it was found in 27 swabs collected in food-processing areas and near food-handling equipment during FDA inspections in October.
One of those swabs matched a strain of Listeria that prompted last year’s recall, which means it “may be persistent in the production environment,” according to the FDA.
Once established, Listeria is nearly impossible to eradicate from a food-processing facility. It thrives in cold, wet crevices that are commonly found on manufacturing equipment.
Sabra reassured customers that it tests finished hummus products every two minutes on the production line for pathogens, including Listeria. The company is offering a coupon for a free replacement at www.SabraHummusRecall.com.
Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness that is usually caused by food poisoning with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few months for symptoms to appear.
No illnesses have been linked to either recall. While rare, infections with Listeria are serious and usually require hospitalization. It often spreads to the bloodstream or causes meningitis. In pregnant women, Listeria can cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Source: FDA Advises Consumers of Recall of Certain Sabra Hummus Products
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