Sabra Hummus Recalled Due to Listeria Discovery in Processing Facility

Sabra of Colonial Heights, VA is recalling hummus products, about 50 SKUs in all, after finding Listeria monocytogenes in their facility.  The product being recalled is all product manufactured before November 8, 2016 (Coded “Best Before” date up through January 23, 2017).   The statement says that product had not tested positive, but there is probably a concern of where they found it in the facility.

With what appears to be a shelf-life of 75 days, there is probably over 2 months of production potentially in the marketplace or in consumer's refrigerators.  As a ready-to-eat product, there can be significant risk if the organism is present, so it is important to dispose of product.

According to the FDA investigation...."27 swabs of the processing environment that contained Listeria monocytogenes. Analysis by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed that one of the strains of Listeria monocytogenes found during the recent inspection matches a strain found in a retail product sample collected in 2015, indicating this strain of Listeria monocytogenes may be persistent in the production environment."

Sabra had another recall in 2015 when a positive product sample was found. Another company recalled hummus product in 2014.  Finding the same Listeria strain in the environment is a concern, and especially the large number of samples.
 
FDA Recall Noticehttp://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm529967.htm
Sabra Dipping Company Issues Voluntary Recall Of Certain Hummus Products Because Of Possible Health Risks
For Immediate Release
November 19, 2016

Contact
Consumers Sabra Consumer Relations 1-866-265-6761
Media Ilya Welfeld news@sabra.com 804-431-3167

Announcement

Colonial Heights, VA - Sabra Dipping Co., LLC is voluntarily recalling certain hummus products made prior to November 8, 2016 due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes, which was identified at the manufacturing facility but not in tested finished product. The recall includes the products listed below; these were distributed to retail outlets, including food service accounts and supermarkets, in the U.S. and Canada.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The company is issuing this recall out of an abundance of caution.

Consumers with any product with a “Best Before” date up through January 23, 2017 are urged to discard it. Consumers can find code and “Best Before” date on the lid of each package.

See List of products http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm529967.htm

No other Sabra products are affected. In particular, Sabra products not included in the recall are: Sabra Organic Hummus, Sabra Salsa, Sabra Guacamole and Sabra Greek Yogurt Dips.

Consumers can contact Sabra Consumer Relations at 1-866-265-6761 for additional information from 9:00 am to 8:00 PM eastern time. For product reimbursement, consumers can contact www.sabrahummusrecall.com. Full list of impacted product is below. The company has subsequently taken steps to correct this matter.

The recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

FDA Advisory
http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm529968
FDA Advises Consumers of Recall of Certain Sabra Hummus Products
Consumers Should Not Eat Recalled Products Because of Possible Listeria Contamination

November 22, 2016
Updates
Fast Facts
What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
What are the Symptoms of Listeriosis?
What Do Retailers Need To Do?
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Who Should be Contacted?

What's New

November 22, 2016

Following Sabra Dipping LLC’s recall, Taylor Farms Tennessee, Inc., Taylor Farms Texas, Inc. and Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. (all collectively referred to as “Taylor Farms”) are voluntarily recalling a limited number of products that contain Sabra's recalled products.
Fast Facts

• Sabra Dipping Company LLC has recalled certain hummus products with a “Best Before” date on or before January 23, 2017, because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious, potentially life-threatening infection called listeriosis.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises consumers not to eat the recalled products and to throw them away.
• An FDA inspection of the Sabra Dipping Company LLC’s manufacturing facility in Colonial Heights, VA, revealed 27 swabs of the processing environment that contained Listeria monocytogenes. Analysis by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed that one of the strains of Listeria monocytogenes found during the recent inspection matches a strain found in a retail product sample collected in 2015, indicating this strain of Listeria monocytogenes may be persistent in the production environment.
• Symptoms of listeriosis include fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after eating contaminated food. Listeriosis primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

On October 31, 2016, the FDA began an inspection of Sabra Dipping Company LLC’s manufacturing facility in Colonial Heights, VA. Nine environmental samples collected in food processing areas within the facility were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. On November 18, 2016, the FDA informed Sabra that an additional 18 environmental samples collected near food handling equipment were confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

One of the strains of Listeria monocytogenes found during the recent inspection matches a strain found in a retail product sample collected in 2015, indicating this strain of Listeria monocytogenes may be persistent in the production environment.

The FDA discussed the findings with Sabra including steps taken by Sabra since the inspection. On November 18, 2016, Sabra Dipping Company LLC initiated a voluntary recall of certain hummus products with a “Best Before” date on or before January 23, 2017, urging consumers to throw the product away. The products were distributed to retail outlets, including food service accounts and supermarkets, in the U.S. and Canada.

Consumers can find code and “Best Before” dates on the lid of each package. Below is a list of the recalled products.