Yahoo News Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Asda recall sandwiches in E. coli outbreak
Sandwiches have been recalled from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Asda and other shops amid an E. coli outbreak. An alert was issued today by the Food Standards Agency, warning consumers of the recall of items, mainly consisting of pre-packed sandwiches containing salad leaves.
Some pre-packed wraps and salad products have also been recalled. Greencore Group, which makes products for Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi and other stores, warned of possible E.coli contamination.
Samworth Brothers Manton Wood, which provide products for Tesco, have taken a similar step. An E.coli outbreak was earlier this month linked to an unspecified "major food" as authorities failed to clarify the source of the food poisoning bug, reports the Mirror.
113 people, including a toddler, fell ill with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). It is unclear if this is related to the sandwiches, wraps and salads.
Though E. coli hasn't been detected in the Greencore Group products, the company has issued the urgent recall as a precautionary step. The items include Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap, Asda Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap, Asda Chicken & Bacon Club (Sandwich) and Sainsbury’s Greek Style Wrap.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, said: “Sandwich manufacturers are taking a precautionary measure to recall various sandwiches wraps and salads in response to findings from investigations by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who are working to identify the cause of an ongoing outbreak caused by shiga toxin-producing E.coli (Stec).”
Greencore Group said in a statement: “As a precautionary measure, we have voluntarily recalled a number of sandwiches and wraps due to a potential food safety risk. Greencore adheres to the highest standards of food safety, and we are working closely with the Food Standards Agency and our suppliers to better understand the possible source of any potential issue.”
The Food Standard's Agency also stated: "Samworth Brothers Manton Wood is taking the precautionary step of recalling various Tesco and One Stop sandwiches and wraps because of possible contamination with E. coli. E. coli has not been detected in the products listed below but they are being recalled as a precaution." The products include Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich, Tesco Chicken Salad Sub, The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Chilled Wrap, OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub and OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich.
Asda has apologised to customers. In a statement, it said: "If you have purchased any of the above products, please bring it back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused. If you would like any further information." And an Asda spokesman said: “We have been made aware by Greencore, who supply Asda and other retailers with pre-packed sandwiches, that they are recalling a number of products as a precaution because of the possible presence of E.coli.
“The full list of products is available on the Asda product recalls webpage. If you have purchased any of these products, do not eat them, please bring them back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt.” The Asda items affected are Bacon Lettuce, Tomato, Brie, Bacon, Chilli Jam, Chicken & Bacon Club, Chicken Salad, Smoky beans & Cheddar Cheese Wrap, Southern Fried Triple Wrap, Southern Fried Wrap, Tuna Crunch Sub roll and Vegan No Chick’n Caesar Wrap.
Sainsbury’s says it has taken the precautionary measure of recalling the above products as they may contain E.coli. We are asking customers that have purchased the above products not to consume them and to return them to their nearest Sainsbury’s store, where they will receive a full refund.
A Boots spokesperson told us: “In response to Greencore's product recall, Boots is taking the precautionary measure of recalling a number of its sandwiches and wraps.” The Mirror contacted other supermarkets, including Aldi and Morrisons, for comment. The Morrisons items include its Chicken Salad Sandwich.
E. coli are a diverse group of bacteria that normally live in human and animal intestines. Some types are harmless but others can make people seriously ill. Tests have shown that the type in this outbreak is called E.coli STEC O145. It produces a Shiga toxin - which can attack the lining of the gut.
