A Dangerous Week For Food: 4 Major Recalls

You may want to take hummus, sprouts, ground beef, and dog treats off your shopping list.

There have been three major human food recalls this week, as well as one recall that affects man’s best friend. Sprouts and beef were recalled after cases of E. coli poisoning were reported, and seven tons of hummus were recalled after a potential for listeria contamination was identified. To find out which brands to beware of, check out the four major recalls this week below.

The Two Bugs to Blame

E. coli can be particularly devastating to the human digestive system. All humans have some natural E. coli in their digestive system, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but some strains of E. coli produce the Shiga toxin. Chances are, if you hear of E. coli infections, Shiga toxin–producing E. coli is responsible. E. coli infections can be very unpleasant, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea and even kidney failure.

Listeria, the other bacteria at fault this week, can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects seniors, pregnant women, newborns, and people with compromised immune systems. Listeriosis usually manifests as fever and muscle aches, and it sometimes causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, the CDC reports. In older people and those who have immune deficiencies, septicemia and meningitis are a possible result...