Sabra had to recall some 30,000 cases of its Classic Hummus due to possible contamination with Listeria. 

Hummus manufacturer Sabra (Sabra Dipping Co., co-owned by PepsiCo and Israeli food manufacturer Strauss) announced earlier this week that it is voluntarily recalling some 30,000 cases of its “Classic Hummus” due to possible contamination with Listeria.

Prior to the announcement, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development officials reportedly learned about the risk of contamination andthen informed the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria which usually attacks children, pregnant women, elderly people, and people with weakened immune system. Human infection is rare but may be fatal, and lead to meningitis, blood poisoning or death (morality rate is around 20%). Healthier individuals may suffer from high fever, severe headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages among pregnant women.

Listeria does not survive cooking or pasteurizing, but may infect cooked or pasteurized food, especially when surface sterilization is lacking.