More batches of Avoca hummus recalled because of listeria fears

Batches of Avoca-brand Caramelised Onion Hummus and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus have been recalled because of fears of the presence of listeria monocytogene.

Last week, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said some other batches of Avoca-brand hummus and colcannon were recalled because of the "presence of listeria monocytogene".

The latest batches to be added to the recall list were made on the same day as the hummus and colcannon that were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogene is a bacteria which causes listeriosis infections. The FSAI said listeriosis was a “serious disease” which can be “life threatening, particularly for pregnant women, the elderly and other people with a weakened immune system.”

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Avoca hummus, colcannon recalled after listeria found

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The hummus had a use-by date of February 9th and the colcannon had a use-by date of February 4th.

It is not yet known whether these latest products also contain Listeria monocytogenes. Avoca say testing is currently underway.

The products were only sold in Avoca stores and have been withdrawn from sale and a point-of-sale recall notice has been displayed.

The FSAI said customers are advised not to eat the product and should dispose or return to the shop.

In a statement on Tuesday, Avoca said “nothing is more important to us than food safety and the consumer experience we deliver. As a precautionary measure, we recently made a voluntary recall of a small quantity of hummus and colcannon products sold in Avoca stores after routine testing indicated that they did not meet our high quality standards.

“We immediately removed the products from stores and notified the FSAI and consumers of our decision. Consumers who purchased these two products are advised to return them to the store for a full refund. We are conducting a thorough investigation to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem, and we apologise for any inconvenience”.

Avoca is a clothing manufacturing, retail, food and cafe business which started in Co Wicklow and operates several large retail outlets, food halls and cafes across Ireland.

Multinational Aramark paid the Pratt family more than €50 million for Avoca in 2015.