(NaturalNews) A healthy alternative to many dips and dressings, hummus, is at the center of a massive food recall. How massive? Seven tons of it have been voluntarily recalled by the food manufacturer Lansal, Inc., after Texas health officials noted possible Listeria contamination in Target Archer Farms Traditional Hummus (1). The recall is now sweeping locations where the hummus is sold on a nationwide level and includes stores like Target, Trader Joe's and Giant Eagle.

According to a Food and Drug Administration press release, they are recalling "approximately 14,860 pounds of hummus and dip products due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes, an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems." (2)

List of recalled hummus items

The recalled items are outlined in the list below by order of universal product code, item, use-by dates and affected areas:

85239233405; Target Archer Farms Traditional Hummus 10 oz.; JUN/11/2014; National

8968630 01823; Target Archer Farms Traditional Hummus 2 lb. (Non-retail item; Ingredient item used in SuperTarget store production of two items, Archer Farms Mediterranean Veggie Hummus Wrap and Archer Farms Hummus Veggie Snacker); JUN/11/2014; National

85239233498; Target Archer Farms Roasted Garlic with Roasted Garlic Tapenade 17 oz.; JUN/9/14 and JUN/12/14; National

85239233481; Target Archer Farms Roasted Red Pepper with Roasted Red Pepper Topping 17 oz.; JUN/12/2014; National

30034065881; Giant Eagle Chipotle Hummus 8 oz.; MAY/7/2014 and MAY/14/14; Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland

30034064747; Giant Eagle Garlic Hummus 8 oz.; MAY/7/2014 and MAY/14/14; Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland

988582; Trader Joe's Edamame Hummus 8 oz.; APR/28/14, APR/29/14 and MAY/9/24; Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia (Southern) and Washington

435451; Trader Joe's 5 Layered Dip Small 11.5 oz.; APR/15/2014; Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin

274043; Trader Joe's 5 Layered Dip Large 24 oz.; APR/15/2014; Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin

8968630 01410; Tryst Yellow Lentil Hummus with Sunflower Seeds & Apricots 10oz; Only Products with the following Lot Codes: USE BY JUN/10/14 Eastern Time Stamp and USE BY JUN/12/14 Eastern Time Stamp; Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions of United States

People who develop listeriosis from a Listeria infection may develop severe headache, chills and diarrhea, which, at it's worst, may include up to 12 bowel movements in one day (3).

Those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact (877) 550-0694 from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. EST, seven days a week.

This hummus should not be eaten, and those who have purchased it are asked to either throw it out or return it to where they purchased it and seek a full refund (2).

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.usatoday.com

(2) http://www.fda.gov

(3) http://www.about-listeria.com

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About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia