Tesco and Lidl have issued an urgent food recall warning for ham products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a recall notice for multiple items sold in Northern Ireland, supplied by O'Brien Fine Foods.
The FSA warned that symptoms of listeriosis can resemble flu, including high temperature, muscle aches, chills, nausea, and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can lead to severe complications such as meningitis, particularly for vulnerable groups including those over 65, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.
Customers who have purchased the affected products are advised not to eat them and to return them to the store for a full refund. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all relevant retail stores. Lidl apologised for any inconvenience and provided contact details for customer services.
The NHS notes that Listeria is often found in chilled, ready-to-eat foods like cooked sliced meats. While most cases are mild, those at higher risk may require antibiotics. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms such as stiff neck, seizures, confusion, or a rash that does not fade should seek emergency medical attention.
