Pita Pal Foods is recalling 87 types of hummus products over concerns about potential listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recalled products were made between May 30 and June 25 before being distributed across the United States and to the United Arab Emirates.
Pita Pal Foods, LP Recalls Various Hummus and Dips Due to Possible Health Risk https://t.co/4HdtWtOC4R pic.twitter.com/TAT6l4mYMh
— U.S. FDA (@FDArecalls) July 16, 2019
An FDA inspection at a manufacturing facility identified listeria bacteria. The bacteria were not found in any of the finished hummus products, and no illnesses have been reported.
The affected products include Bucee’s, Fresh Thyme, Harris Teeter, and Schnucks brands. (A full list of the recalled products is available on the FDA website).
Listeria bacteria can cause serious illness in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. Listeria infection in pregnant women can cause miscarriages or stillbirths.
Healthy people can develop short-term symptoms such as high fever, headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
About 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those who purchased a recalled Pita Pal product can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Listeria
Listeria is a genus of bacteria that can live in soil, water, and some animals, including poultry and cattle. It can grow at cold temperatures, like inside a refrigerator. The listeria bacteria can cause a type of food poisoning called listeriosis.
People who are fairly healthy and have contracted listeriosis can be sick with typically mild symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and a fever for a day or two.
When listeria bacteria contaminate foods, such as deli meat (e.g. cantaloupes, hot dogs) that aren’t processed properly, or dairy products made from milk (e.g. soft cheeses) that isn’t pasteurized, one can’t see, smell, or taste it.
According to the CDC, “People with invasive listeriosis usually report symptoms starting 1 to 4 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria; some people have reported symptoms starting as late as 70 days after exposure or as early as the same day of exposure.”
To prevent listeria infection, the UK’s NHS advises people to keep chilled food in the fridge, heat food till it’s piping hot, and not eat food after its use-by date. It’s also wise to ensure food is cooked properly and meat is cooked all the way through so that any harmful bacteria can be destroyed.
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Epoch Times reporter Li Yen contributed to this report.
