Consumers urged not to consume two kinds of prepackaged hummus products suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 29) urged the public not to consume two kinds of prepackaged hummus products imported from the United States as the products were suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately should they still possess them.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The Centre, through its routine Food Incident Surveillance System, noted an announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration that certain kinds of prepackaged hummus products produced by Sabra Dipping Co LLC, a US manufacturer, were suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The manufacturer had initiated a recall of the affected products. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the US authorities over the incident and followed up with major importers in Hong Kong. The CFS' investigation found that Park'nShop (HK) Limited had imported two kinds of the affected products into Hong Kong."

Product details are as follows:

(1) Product name: Classic Hummus with Pretzels
Brand: Sabra
Barcode: 40822011952
Net weight: 4.56 ounces per pack
Best-before date: December 26, 2016

(2) Product name: Roasted Garlic Hummus with Pretzels
Brand: Sabra
Barcode: 40822011990
Net weight: 4.56 ounces per pack
Best-before date: December 21, 2016

The spokesman said that according to information provided by the importer concerned, it had imported 120 packs of each of the above affected products, which were only on sale in its chain of supermarkets. The importer has already voluntarily stopped sale of and removed from shelves the affected products, and initiated a recall. Members of the public may call the company's hotline at 2606 8658 for enquiries during office hours about the recall.

"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms like fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman said.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected products. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately should they still possess them.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action. Investigation is ongoing.

Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2016