Sandwich maker Greencore, which supplies major supermarkets including Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, is one of a number of companies to recall products after it was potentially linked to an E coli outbreak that has seen UK cases almost double to more than 200.
The company is recalling thousands of sandwiches, wraps and salads sold through the three supermarkets, as well as Boots, Aldi, Amazon and the Co-op. The 45 products contain a type of lettuce linked to an outbreak identified this month by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA).
Another company, Samworth Brothers, which supplies Tesco and its One Stop chain from its Manton Wood business, is recalling 15 types of sandwiches, wraps and mats for the same reason.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/14/uk-supermarket-sandwich-recall-full-list-of-products
Another manufacturer expected to be recalled has yet to be identified as investigations continue into exactly which products may have been affected.
News of the recall came as the UKHSA revealed on Friday that a further 98 cases had been linked to the outbreak, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 211, including 147 in England, 27 in Wales, 35 in Scotland and two in Northern Ireland. .
The agency said at least 67 people were admitted to hospital. He expected the number affected by the outbreak to rise further as he conducted further research using genome sequencing to determine which E coli cases were linked.
Sources said the items that were recalled did not contain E coli because the affected batch of lettuce had already been consumed, but customers and retailers were urged to return the items as a precaution.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said sandwich makers were taking “precautionary measures” to recall various sandwiches, wraps and salads in response to findings from an investigation into an “ongoing outbreak” of shiga toxin-producing E coli (Stec).
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the FSA, said: “This is a complex investigation and we worked quickly with the relevant businesses and local authorities to narrow down the wide range of food consumed to a small number of lettuce products that were used in sandwiches and wraps. After a thorough analysis of the food chain, these products are withdrawn from the market as a precaution.
“Stec infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and in some cases more serious complications. We therefore advise all consumers who have any of these products not to eat them.”
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Food safety is a top priority for our members and those who sell or prepare food are well aware of food safety measures.
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“The affected retailers are taking swift action to remove these products from sale and are working closely with the Food Standards Agency to take the additional measures necessary to minimize the risk to their customers.”
The Greencore recall covers 45 different products, including Asda’s chicken and bacon sandwich, Boots’ BLT, Asda’s tuna crispy roll and Sainsbury’s peri peri chicken wrap. The Samworth Brothers recall includes 15 items, including a Tesco chicken salad sandwich and a One Stop tuna crisp.
Earlier this month, the UKHSA said 113 recent cases of E coli in the UK since May 25 were believed to be part of a single outbreak that was likely linked to a “nationally distributed food or multiple food items” given the wide geographical area. spread of cases.
Supermarkets issued notices asking customers who bought any of the affected products not to eat them but to return them to the store for a full refund.
Greencore said in a statement: “As a precautionary measure, we have voluntarily recalled a range 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 problem.”