Tesco has issued an urgent recall for its Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad after the product may have been contaminated with E. coli, which could cause food poisoning. The supermarket has also warned customers about a two-day isolation period if they experience symptoms.
The recalled item is the 215g packet with best-before dates of August 25, 26, and 27, 2026. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a recall alert advising customers not to eat the product due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
Symptoms and isolation advice
The FSA stated: "The possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli STEC in the product listed above." 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 FSA added: "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."
Refund and further information
The FSA also said: "If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. For further information, please visit Tesco's customer services at: tesco.com/help/contact."
Tesco issued its own alert, which will be displayed in its stores. It said: "We're recalling three date codes of Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad 215g. This is due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause illness if eaten. No other products sold at Tesco are affected by this recall."
Understanding STEC infection
NHS Inform explained that E. coli bacteria are found in the environment, food, and the intestines of animals and people. Most types are harmless, but some can make you unwell. STEC is known to cause more severe illness than E. coli that doesn't produce Shiga toxin. Symptoms usually take between two and four days to develop, but can start anytime between one and 14 days afterwards.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting, fever and bloody diarrhoea. Most people get better within five to seven days, but it can last up to two weeks. NHS Inform added that a small number of people, mainly children, with STEC infection go on to develop a serious life-threatening condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms include peeing less, pink or brown urine, tiredness, swelling, and bruising. This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under five years. Anyone with an STEC infection should stay away from work or school until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours.
