News
‘Foreign matter’ contamination risk causes product recall
The manufacturer took the “precautionary measure” after learning that the batch of chickpeas used as an ingredient in each of the hummus varieties had potentially been contaminated with foreign animal matter.
The recall includes Happy Pear's ‘Red Pepper Hummus’, ‘Caramelised Onion Hummus’, ‘Reduced Fat Hummus’, ‘Hummus Triple Dip’ and ‘Moroccan Style Hummus’, all of which feature a plant-based label.
Each variety is sold in 150g packs, with the exception of the triple dip hummus, while the recall batches feature use by dates of 10, 11 or 12 December 2024.
Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that sell these products, explaining why the product has been recalled.
Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has posted about the recall on its website.
Customers that have bought any of the listed products have been advised not consume them and instead them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation,” the brand wrote on the recall notice.
UK launch
Based in County Wicklow, Ireland, The Happy Pear is run by twin brothers Steve and Dave Flynn.
Focused on the production of plant-based food products, it has a range of 80 items in addition to running a café and bakery, hosting online courses and releasing six cookbooks.
The Happy Pear launched its first products in England, Scotland and Wales earlier this year after raising €2.5m through crowdfunding with its range including granola and pesto, as well as hummus. Prior to 2024 the brand was only sold in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In other news, representatives from Unite the Union have taken part in protests outside the offices of the biggest shareholders in Bakkavor as strike action continues at one of its UK production plants.
Unite has said that more than 700 workers are currently taking part in continuous strike action at a Bakkavor production plant in Lincolnshire, although Bakkavor has disputed that point and said only 450 employees are not attending work.
