What to Know About the Sabra Hummus Product Recall Over Listeria Concerns

The company voluntarily recalled certain products over listeria concerns.

November 21, 2016, 12:42 PM
In this July 12, 2012 file photo, a sample of Sabra hummus is set out during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Sabra Dipping Co.'s Chesterfield County, Va. production facility. Sabra Dipping Co.
In this July 12, 2012 file photo, a sample of Sabra hummus is set out during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of Sabra Dipping Co.'s Chesterfield County, Va. production facility. Sabra Dipping Co.
Patrick Kane/The Progress-Index/AP Photo

— -- The Sabra Dipping Co. has voluntarily recalled certain hummus products "due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes," according to an announcement the company made on Saturday.

The company said the bacterium was found in its facility during an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration but not in completed products that were tested.

The dips are the latest in a series of product recalls due to listeria concerns, including one type of Eggo waffles, certain Blue Bell ice creams, frozen vegetables and raw milk.

Here's what to know about the voluntary recall:

What Is Listeria Monocytogenes?

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause serious infections, especially in people with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, young children and the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In severe cases, infections can cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions and can sometimes be life threatening, according to the CDC. Nearly everyone infected with the bacteria ends up with an invasive infection, meaning it moves outside the gastrointestinal tract.

The agency's latest published statistics from 2011 state that the disease causes approximately 1,600 illnesses and 260 deaths every year in the U.S.

Pregnant women are at least 10 times as likely as the general population to develop a listeria infection, which has been associated with miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery, according to the CDC.

Where Was This Instance of Listeria Monocytogenes Found?

The organism "was identified at the manufacturing facility but not in tested finished products," Sabra said. The company said the recall was issued "out of an abundance of caution."

Which Products Are Affected?

Sabra said consumers are "urged to discard" any product with codes listed below that are marked with a best-before date through Jan. 23, 2017. Consumers can find a product's code and best-before date on the lid of each package.

"No other Sabra products are affected," the company said. "In particular, Sabra products not included in the recall are Sabra organic hummus, Sabra salsa, Sabra guacamole and Sabra Greek yogurt dips."

• Sabra Hummus Caramelized Onion 10 ounce

UPC: 040822014700
SKU: 300051

• Sabra Hummus Classic 7 ounce

UPC: 040822000017

SKU: 300066

• Sabra Hummus Classic 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011143

SKU: 300067

• Sabra Hummus Classic 17 ounce

UPC: 040822017497

SKU: 300070

• Sabra Hummus Classic 30 ounce

UPC: 040822014687

SKU: 300074

• Sabra Hummus Classic 5 pound – 6 count

UPC: 040822431156

SKU: 300076

• Sabra Hummus Classic 2 ounce – 48 count: 3 x 16

UPC: 040822011112

SKU: 300079

• Sabra Hummus Classic With Pretzels 4.56 ounce

UPC: 040822011952

SKU: 300080

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 7 ounce

UPC: 040822011235

SKU: 300094

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011242

SKU: 300095

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 17 ounce

UPC: 040822017510

SKU: 300097

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 32 ounce

UPC: 040822012256

SKU: 300099

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 30 ounce

UPC: 040822301121

SKU: 300100

• Sabra Hummus Garlic With Pretzels 4.56 ounce

UPC: 040822011990

SKU: 300104

• Sabra Hummus Jalapeno 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011921

SKU: 300106

• Sabra Hummus Olive 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011341

SKU: 300117

• Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011747

SKU: 300132

• Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 7 ounce

UPC: 040822127530

SKU: 300134

• Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 17 ounce

UPC: 040822990011

SKU: 300136

• Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 32 ounce

UPC: 040822012157

SKU: 300139

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 7 ounce

UPC: 040822012430

SKU: 300142

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011549

SKU: 300143

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 17 ounce

UPC: 040822017503

SKU: 300146

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 32 ounce

UPC: 040822328647

SKU: 300148

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 30 ounce

UPC: 040822301114

SKU: 300150

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 5 pound – 6 count

UPC: 040822434553

SKU: 300151

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper With Pretzels 4.56 ounce

UPC: 040822011969

SKU: 300153

• Sabra Hummus Supremely Spicy 7 ounce

UPC: 040822011433

SKU: 300158

• Sabra Hummus Supremely Spicy 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011440

SKU: 300159

• Sabra Hummus Supremely Spicy 17 ounce

UPC: 040822017558

SKU: 300161

• Sabra Hummus Spinach and Artichoke 10 ounce

UPC: 040822027540

SKU: 300164

• Sabra Hummus Sun Dried Tomato 10 ounce

UPC: 040822014731

SKU: 300166

• Sabra Hummus Spinach and Artichoke 32 ounce

UPC: 040822027700

SKU: 300266

• Sabra Hummus Spinach and Artichoke 17 ounce

UPC: 040822027588

SKU: 300298

• Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 17 ounce – 6 count

UPC: 040822990011

SKU: 300501

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 17 ounce – 6 count

UPC: 040822017503

SKU: 300502

• Sabra Hummus Basil Pesto 10 ounce

UPC: 040822020114

SKU: 300593

• Sabra Hummus Tuscan Herb Garden 32 ounce

UPC: 040822330466

SKU: 300736

• Sabra Hummus Classic 32 ounce

UPC: 040822342049

SKU: 301216

• Sabra Hummus Classic With Pretzels 4.56 ounce – 8 count

UPC: 040822342131

SKU: 301271

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 23.5 ounce

UPC: 040822342209

SKU: 301283

• Sabra Hummus Classic 17 ounce

UPC: 040822017497

SKU: 301290

• Sabra Hummus Bold and Spicy With Tortilla Chips 4.56 ounce

UPC: 040822342506

SKU: 301430

• Sabra Hummus Garlic 17 ounce – 6 count

UPC: 040822017510

SKU: 301480

• Sabra Hummus Classic 2 ounce – 6 x 2 ounce (12 x 6 packs)

UPC: 040822342728

SKU: 301481

• Sabra Hummus Lemon 10 ounce

UPC: 040822011648

SKU: 301483

• Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 2 ounce – 6 x 2 ounce (12 x 6 packs)

UPC: 040822342735

SKU: 301484

• Sabra Hummus Tuscan Herb Garden 17 ounce

UPC: 040822330381

SKU: 301485

• Sabra Hummus Classic 2 ounce – 16 x 2 ounce – 12 count

UPC: 040822010078

SKU: 301511

• Sabra Hummus Classic 2 ounce – 12 count

UPC: 040822010047

SKU: 301512

• Sabra Hummus SF Rosemary/Sea Salt 10 ounce

UPC: 040822342988

SKU: 301566

• Sabra Spreads Spicy Chili 8.5 ounce – 8 count

UPC: 040822343145

SKU: 301585

• Sabra Spreads Garlic Herb 8.5 ounce – 8 count

UPC: 040822343138

SKU: 301586

• Sabra Spreads Garlic Herb 8.5 ounce – 8 count

UPC: 040822343121

SKU: 301587

• Sabra Spreads Salt and Pepper 8.5 ounce – 8 count

UPC: 040822343114

SKU: 301588

• Sabra Hummus Taco 10 ounce

UPC: 040822343671

SKU: 301640

• Sabra Hummus 3 Pepper Chili 10 ounce

UPC: 040822344043

SKU: 301705

What Is Sabra Doing Now?

Sabra said it has "subsequently taken steps to correct this matter" and that the recall "is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration."

The company's CEO, Shali Shalit Shoval, said in a statement that after the FDA conducted an inspection, Sabra "implemented a thorough and extensive factory-wide cleaning and sanitation procedure."

She added that "beyond that, we continue to work very closely with internal and external food safety experts to identify any additional steps we can take to even further enhance our efforts."

Consumer Information and Reimbursement

Consumers who have eaten any affected products should monitor their health for any symptoms. Listeria monocytogenes can incubate up to 70 days after exposure before a person develops symptoms.

The bacteria can continue to grow at refrigerated temperatures. Cooking contaminated foods to recommended temperatures is one way to kill the bacteria, but as already noted, Sabra is urging consumers to discard any product under recall.

More information on the recall is available through Sabra consumer relations at 1-866-265-6761 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

For product reimbursement, consumers can visit www.sabrahummusrecall.com.

ABC News' Gillian Mohney contributed to this report.