Sainsbury’s issues Hepatitis A warning and urgent recall on dates

Sainsbury’s has issued an urgent recall on one of its own-brand date products because of possible Hepatitis A contamination.

On Wednesday, the supermarket said it was "taking the precautionary action of recalling Taste the Difference Medjool dates" over concerns they were tainted.

It has recalled pack sizes of 200g and 500g, with supplier or site code of K0014 EW.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said people who bought the products should not eat them but instead return them to the store they purchased them from for a full refund.

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The FSA said in a statement: “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 product.”

It added: “These products might be contaminated with Hepatitis A.

“Symptoms caused by Hepatitis A usually include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin).”

Sainsbury's apologised to customers in a statement on its website, saying: "It has been brought to our attention that packs of Taste the Difference Medjool Dates 200g & 500g with a supplier / site code of K0014 EW may be contaminated with Hepatitis A.

"We are asking customers who have purchased these products with this specific supplier code not to eat them and to return them to their nearest Sainsbury’s store for a full refund when they next visit for groceries & other essentials.

"Please note that packs without this code present are not affected."

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Sainsbury's said customers who are vulnerable, shielding or otherwise unable to return the product should check its website contact its careline on 0800 636262.

Hepatitis A is rarely fatal but some patients may develop severe symptoms lasting several months.

The disease is most often contracted from food or water contaminated with the virus – which is present in the stool of infected people – or from close contact with an infected person.

It can take two to seven weeks before symptoms appear.

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