Tesco has urgently recalled a popular food item and urged customers not to eat it over fears it may be contaminated with E. coli.
Multiple batches of Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad are being removed from the shelves due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli STEC, which can cause illness, the supermarket said.
Affected batches and refund details
The products, affecting the 215g pack size, include those with use by dates August 25, August 26 and August 27, 2026.
The salad is not part of the standard lunchtime meal deal, but is included in the 3 for £8 or 5 for £12 Clubcard Price offer for selected Tesco Groceries deli items. It usually costs £3.50 on its own.
Shoppers who have purchased the product are being urged not to eat it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required, Tesco said.
Health risks and advice
The supermarket has reassured customers that there are currently no other products affected by the recall.
Consuming E. coli bacteria can bring on a host of uncomfortable or painful symptoms, including severe diarrhoea with or without blood in the stool, abdominal pain, vomiting and dehydration.
In some cases, it can also cause haemolytic uremic syndrome, (HUS) - a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.
The warning reads: "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."
Customers seeking more information about the product recall can contact Tesco's customer services.
