The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent recall for pre-packaged apple and kiwi fruit products sold at major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, M&S, and Waitrose, due to potential Salmonella contamination.
Products Affected
Fruit supplier PrepWorld recalled several items after testing detected Salmonella in apples and kiwi used in the products. The affected items include ready-to-eat fruit pots and snack packs with best-before or use-by dates of 23 or 24 June.
At ASDA, the only affected product is a 220g Pink Lady Apple, Mango, Strawberry & Blueberry fruit pot priced at £2.75. Morrisons has pulled a 220g Kiwi, Melon & Strawberries pack (£2.50, use-by 24 June).
Tesco has the most affected items: 250g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry pots (use-by 24 June, £2.50), 100g Kiwi Fruit Pot (£1.50), 290g Fruit Kebabs containing kiwi, watermelon, mango, and pineapple chunks (£4.10), and 125g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry packs (£1.50).
Sainsbury's and M&S Recalls
Sainsbury's has three recalled products: 220g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry pots, Orange & Kiwi 240g packs, and Pink Lady Apple & Grape 240g packs, all with a use-by date of 23 June. M&S recalled 90g Café Pink Lady Apple slices, 90g (FTG) Pink Lady Apple packs, and 225g Pink Lady Apple Slices, all with a use-by date of 24 June.
Waitrose also pulled its 115g Pink Lady Apple and Grapes packs (best-before 23 June).
FSA Statement and Health Risks
The FSA said: "Prepworld is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products."
Salmonella is a leading cause of food poisoning globally, causing symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. While commonly associated with raw meat, poultry, and eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables can also be contaminated. Young children, those aged 65 and over, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness.
The NHS advises that symptoms typically begin within hours or days of consuming contaminated food, but can take weeks to appear. Sufferers should drink plenty of fluids, rest, take paracetamol, and eat when able.
Consumer Advice
The FSA urges consumers who have purchased the affected products not to consume them. They should return them to the store for a full refund. The recall follows a similar warning twelve months ago regarding Salmonella fears in a savoury snack sold by Lidl, where the Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings were withdrawn.
