A Hummus to die for

How did Salmonella germs got into the Icelandic Hummus from M&S?

Salmonella germs found last Wednesday in two Hummus products, led to a bit of a Hummus-panic across the UK. Marks & Spencer was the first to announce a recall of the products, manufactured by the Icelandic Bakkavor Group and distributed in Britain by Katsouris.

Marks & Spencer says they discovered the salmonella contamination during a routine check, and that there are no reports of illness from customers. However, Katsouris has officially announced that they are taking the products off the shelves of several supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco, Waitrose and the Co-op.

For further coverage of the story:
Hummus food scare widens [Gardian Unlimited]
M&S withdraws houmous after salmonella threat [EarthTimes.com]
Bakkavör Group product recall in the UK [Bakkavör website]
Updated statement regarding the recall [Bakkavör website]

What puzzles me, is Bakkavor’s declaration that “The cause is related to a raw material” of the dish. Salmonella, a pretty nasty germ causing everything from digestion problems to death, is usually distributed through animal protein tissues. It’s main sources in human foods are poultry and eggs.

The common ingredients of Hummus are chick-pea grains, tehina or “tahini” (sesame paste), garlic and some spices. So what was this mysterious ingredient used by Bakkavor that could be contaminated with Salmonella?

February 20, 2007 | Filed Under Tahini & Sesame, Anecdotes, Hummus | 1 Comment 

Abu Hassan, the glorious Jaffa’s hummus

Jaffa, an ancient town with a glorious history, turned into a unique culinary gem. Packed with gourmet restaurants and boutique eateries, yet many flock to Jaffa for one reason: Abu Hassan’s hummus.

Jaffa is a city of contrasts. On one hand, it has a charged historical background. On the other, it’s a peaceful, friendly, hospitable place, and it is as beautiful as Tel-Aviv could never be.

In Jaffa you can find, side by side, luxurious mansions and neglected old buildings. Gourmet restaurants and cheap eateries. Wretchedness and glory, in an impossible mixture. And a lot of hummus.

Jaffa near Abu Hassan

No one knows how many hummus places are there in Jaffa. A dozen of them or so are well known and the many others are less famous but maintain their own fan clubs. And there is, of course, Abu Hassan, which warrants a category of its own.
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February 13, 2007 | Filed Under Hummus in Review | 5 Comments