Hummus horror: Supplier to potentially face R1m fine over listeria presence

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is taking a hardline stance on food safety violations, officially referring BM Food Manufacturers to the National Consumer Tribunal. This decisive move follows the discovery of the life-threatening pathogenListeria monocytogenesin ready-to-eat hummus supplied to Shoprite Checkers. The crisis erupted in September 2024 when Shoprite Checkers launched an urgent recall of its Deli Hummus range.

The NCC is now pursuing a financial penalty to deter future negligence. It has asked the Tribunal to impose a fine of R1 million or 10% of the company’s annual turnover, “whichever is the highest”, it said on Tuesday in a statement. The NCC said that lab results confirmed the presence of listeria.

The pathogen poses serious health risks to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and the elderly. Their subsequent investigation revealed a blatant disregard for safety protocols, said the commission’s spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba. Specifically, failing to provide goods that are reasonably suitable for their intended purpose.

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Ntaba reiterated that consumers have an inalienable right to receive products that are of good quality and free of any defects. Listeria contamination (listeriosis) symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, often preceded by diarrhea or vomiting. Eating contaminated food with high numbers of the bacteria is the main route of infection.

Infection can also be transmitted between humans, notably from pregnant women to unborn babies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that pregnant women are about 20 times more likely to contract listeriosis than other healthy adults. It can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Individuals with weakened immune systems are also more likely to get ill than those with a normally functioning immune system. The evidence suggested a systemic failure in hygiene management.

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