Tesco has withdrawn batches of one of its ready meals from shelves over concerns about possible E. coli contamination. The supermarket has recalled its Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad, sold in 215g packets, due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
What is STEC?
STEC stands for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, a group of E. coli bacteria that produces harmful toxins called Shiga toxins. If consumed, Tesco said in its product recall notice, the bacteria "can cause illness". While many strains of E. coli are harmless and naturally live in the intestines, STEC strains can cause serious illness.
Symptoms and advice
Symptoms of STEC infection typically appear between three and four days after exposure to the bacteria, although they can sometimes develop sooner or later. Symptoms caused by STEC organisms include severe diarrhoea with or without blood in the stool, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said in a statement: "If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others."
Affected batches and refunds
The Tesco recall only affects batches of the salad sold in 215g packets with use by dates August 25, 26 and 27. The supermarket said: "If you have purchased an affected batch of the product above, please do not eat it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required."
Tesco added no other products are affected by this recall, also saying: "We're sorry for any inconvenience caused."
Sharing the Tesco product recall, the FSA explained: "If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product)." The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
"In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers."
