Pita Pal Hummus Recall Issued Over Listeria Food Poisoning Concerns

Federal health officials have recalled dozens of hummus products due a listeria food poisoning risk, which may result in serious and potentially life-threatening infections, as well as miscarriages and still births for pregnant women.

The Pita Pal hummus recall was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 16, after routine testing discovered the presence of listeria monocytogenes at the company’s production facility. To date, no illnesses or injuries have been reported in relation to the recall.

The recall includes 87 types of hummus products that were sold under the brand names Harris Teeter, Pita Pal, Bucee’s, Fresh Thyme, Hummus Hummus, Lantana, Lidl, Reasor’s, Roundy’s, Schnucks and 7-Select.

The products were manufactured by Pita Pal Foods, LP of Houston, Texas between May 30, 2019 and June 25, 2019, and were distributed to grocery stores including Harris Teeter, Kroger, Food Lion, Lidl, Fresh Market and Target throughout the United States. The products were also distributed to United Arab Emirates customers.

According to the recall, listeria bacteria has not been found in any of the finished hummus products. However, out of an abundance of caution the manufacturer is issuing the recall due to the potential for the infection to have entered the hummus products during production.

Listerosis is a foodborne illness that can cause serious health consequences and death, especially for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The infection is considered by the FDA as one of the more dangerous foodborne illnesses and frequently results in hospitalizations and carries a 25% fatality rate.

Symptoms of listeria infections may include nausea, muscle ache, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. In severe cases for the elderly and young children, the bacteria could spread through the bloodstream to the nervous system resulting in sometimes fatal infections. For pregnant women, listerosis can pose a risk of miscarriages, still births, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Customers are being asked to stop consuming the products immediately and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional questions or concerns regarding the recall, customers may contact Pita Pal Foods customer service at 832-803-9295 or email them at products@pitapal.com.