Why go for store-bought hummus when you can have the real thing? Yes, sometimes it's more convenient than making it yourself. But, other times, packaged products can be quite risky.
Recently, Pita Pal Foods, a Houston-based hummus maker, recalled 87 different types of hummus products after an FDA inspection identified listeria bacteria at a manufacturing facility. Thankfully, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not find listeria in any of the finished hummus products nor were any illnesses reported.
The recalled products were made between May 30 and June 25 before being distributed across the United States and the UAE, CNN reported.
Pita Pal Foods makes hummus for store brands such as Bucee’s, Fresh Thyme, Harris Teeter, Reasor's, Lantana among others. The full list of recalled products can be found here.
Listeria can cause serious - and sometimes deadly - infections in young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems, according to WebMD.
Healthy people can also experience short-term symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea.
Homemade is the way to go
Because why have this?
When you can have something more authentic
Especially considering it's not the first time packaged hummus products fell victim to listeria concerns
In 2017, a brand of pine nut hummus sold at major retailers in the United States (like Wal-Mart and Target) was also recalled by its manufacturer after a supplier reported a possible listeria contamination.
At the time, there were also no illnesses reported in relation to the product, which was distributed from April 18 to June 13 of 2017.
But, all that aside, did you know that 87 hummus products exist?
