Supermarket shoppers across the UK are being urged to check their fridges and cupboards immediately following a major product recall linked to potential listeria contamination.
The alert affects several popular products sold at leading retailers including Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons, all sourced from the same supplier at the centre of the health scare.
Which Products Are Affected?
Consumers should be particularly vigilant about checking any pre-packaged sandwiches, wraps, and salads purchased recently. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a comprehensive list of specific products and their use-by dates that are part of the urgent recall.
Key items to look out for include:
- Various sandwich varieties including chicken and salad options
- Prepared wraps containing multiple fillings
- Fresh salad bowls with dressings
- Other chilled ready-to-eat products
What Are the Health Risks?
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable groups. Tina Potter, Head of Incidents at the FSA, emphasised the seriousness of the situation: "We are warning the public, especially those who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems, to ensure they check whether they have any of the affected products."
Symptoms of listeria infection can include:
- High temperature
- Aches and pains
- Chills
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhoea
What Should Consumers Do?
Anyone who has purchased any of the affected products is advised not to consume them and to return them to the store where they were bought for a full refund. Retailers have already begun removing the potentially contaminated items from shelves.
The FSA continues to work closely with food businesses and local authorities to ensure the recall is effectively implemented and to monitor the situation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust food safety protocols throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing to retail.
