Sabra Dipping Company is recalling thousands of its classic hummus across the country over Listeria contamination fears. The step follows recent warnings to the public by the U.S. health officials about consuming products from the Oklahoma ice cream plant of Blue Bell Creameries, the company whose products were linked to some three deaths in Kansas. Listeria causes a condition known as Listeriosis and can be deadly.
Listeria tests positive in Sabra products
As a precautionary measure, Sabra announced a recall of 30,000 cases of hummus. Both the company and the federal health officials confirmed the recall, a measure aimed at containing possible spread of Listeriosis. The company is making the move in response to Listeria contamination concerns. During routine testing by the FDA, samples of Sabra hummus ended up testing positive for Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes Listeriosis.
No related illness reported
So far, health authorities have not been able to link the hummus contamination traced in Sabra’s products last month to any illness.
Deadly infection
According to CDC, Listeriosis results from consumption of food contaminated with Listeria. The infection is said to be common among senior adults, newborns and pregnant women. Additionally, CDC says that the infection is also common in people whose immune system is already weak and that it can lead to death.
The scare of Listeria contamination led health officials to warn people against consuming products from Bull Bell’s ice factory in Oklahoma. The ice cream plant in Oklahoma remains closed because of possible Listeria infiltration.
Three deaths from Listeria contamination
Five patients in Kansas were taken ill out of which three patients were reported dead after they consumed some Blue Bell ice cream servings at the hospital. It has not been confirmed that the deaths and the illnesses were caused by Blue Bell products, but measure have been taken to avoid any further threats to consumers. Leads are also being pursued about possible in-hospital contamination in the Kansas ice cream contamination cases.