16-06-2025
The Brand That's Behind Trader Joe's Popular Hummus
Long-time patrons of Trader Joe's aren't surprised at the lack of brand-name products when they pop in for TJ's best snacks, but they are constantly on the hunt to find out which companies supply the store with its private-label merchandise. Instead of manufacturing the in-store brands itself, the retailer outsources production to businesses more aptly equipped to make its signature grocery items, often utilizing corporations many are personally familiar with. Some folks may already be aware of the brands behind Trader Joe's smoothies and salad kits, yet the producer of the neighborhood market's hummus has remained somewhat elusive.
It was discovered through a recall notice in 2015 that, for at least some time, TJ's hummus was provided by Tribe Mediterranean Foods. However, it seems that the grocer has since moved on to another manufacturer to make its creamy hummus. The cat was let out of the bag via another recall notice in 2023, which indicated Bakkavor Foods was responsible for making at least one of Trader Joe's eight varieties of hummus.
The recall occurred as a consequence of Bakkavor mistakenly placing Genova Pesto in a tub marked "Hummus Dip." The hummus container listed the ingredients for that item, not pesto, resulting in a recall of the product for undeclared milk and walnuts. Although Bakkavor was never officially identified as a manufacturer of Trader Joe's hummus, it is clear the company was supplying the grocer with that commodity, given that it had the containers for TJ's snack in its possession.
Read more: 15 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping At Trader Joe's
Bakkavor Foods touts itself as the leading producer of fresh prepared food. With operations in the U.S., U.K., and China, the company manufactures artisan breads, dips, soups, sauces, and other fresh meals for several grocery retailers in those regions. Its United States division is the smallest of the three, only accounting for roughly 5% of the corporation's revenue.
Interestingly enough, Bakkavor lists some of its grocery retail customers in the U.K. and China but not the United States. Companies like Aldi that lack brand-name products by design are notoriously tight-lipped about the suppliers of their private-label products. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume Bakkavor Foods may furnish prepared dips, soups, and sauces for Trader Joe's competitors like Aldi and Costco's Kirkland Signature brand. Still, while Bakkavor appears to be making hummus for TJ's as recently as 2023, that may no longer be the case. It seems apparent that Trader Joe's moved on from Tribe Mediterranean Foods after its recall fiasco in 2015, and it is possible that the retailer has found another supplier of its signature hummus after Bakkavor committed its blunder.
Read the original article on Foodie.
