Food manufacturers have recalled sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in several major supermarkets over fears they are linked to a serious E.coli outbreak.
More than 200 cases of infection have been confirmed in the UK so far. This number is expected to increase in the coming week.
Earlier this month, the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) warned that the E.coli cases reported in the UK were part of a single outbreak.
Virologists have warned that the disease can be much worse in young children, the elderly and people with underlying immune system disease.
Because of the “wide geographic distribution of cases,” the agency said it believed it was related to a nationally distributed food or multiple food items.
On June 14, major food manufacturers issued product recalls for various sandwiches, wraps and salads.
Greencore Group was the first company to withdraw the product on June 14, closely followed by Samworth Brothers Manton Wood. Food manufacturer THIS! it has since recalled its vegan chicken and bacon wrap.
The products being recalled by Greencore include sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, the Co-op and pharmacy retail chain Boots.
Here is the full list of products that have been recalled due to possible E.coli contamination:
THIS!:
– WH Smith IT! Isn’t Chicken and Bacon Wrap with an expiration date of June 18 inclusive
Greencore Group:
– Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap with an expiration date of June 16 inclusive
– Amazon BLT Sandwich with use by dates up to and including June 16th
– Asda Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap with a use by date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda chicken salad (sandwich) with an expiry date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda Chicken and Bacon Club (sandwich) with an expiry date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (sandwich) with a use by date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda BLT (Sandwich) with use by dates up to and including June 16
– Boots BBQ Chicken Wrap with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– BLT (Sandwich) shoes with a use-by date up to and including June 16
– Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s Boots (Sandwich) with a use-by date of June 16 inclusive
– Boots Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap with an expiration date of June 16 inclusive
– Chicken salad with boots (sandwich) with an expiration date up to and including June 16
– Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich with an expiration date of June 16th inclusive
– Boots Chicken Triple (Sandwich) with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Delicious Ham and Cheese Ploughman’s Boots (Sandwich) with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Halloumi shoes and Greek salad wrap with a use-by date of June 16 inclusive
– Boots Ham and Egg Club (sandwich) with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Mixed Triple (Sandwich) shoes with a use-by date up to and including June 16
– Southern Fried Chicken Wrap Boots with an expiration date of June 16th inclusive
– Boots Spicy Bean and Cheese Wrap with an expiration date of June 16 inclusive
– Boots Vegan No Chicken Salad (sandwich) with an expiration date of June 16 inclusive
– Vegan No Duck and Hoisin Wrap shoes with a use-by date of June 16 inclusive
– Boots Veggie Triple (Sandwich) with a use-by date of June 16 inclusive
– Amazon Ploughman’s Sandwich with use-by dates up to and including June 16
– Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (sandwich) with a use-by date up to and including June 16
– Co-op Mexican Bean and Cheese Wrap with an expiration date of June 16th inclusive
– Co-op ham, cheese and cucumber (sandwich) with an expiration date of June 16 inclusive
– Co-op Ham and Cheese Wrap with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Co-op Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap with use-by dates up to and including June 17
– Co-op bacon, lettuce and tomato (sandwich) with a use-by date of June 16 inclusive
– Morrisons Chicken Salad (sandwich) with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Morrisons PFS Chicken Salad (sandwich) with an expiry date of 16 June inclusive
– Morrisons gluten-free chicken salad (sandwich) with an expiry date of 16 June inclusive
– Morrisons gluten-free sandwich plate with use-by dates up to and including June 16
– Amazon salad with chicken and bacon with a shelf life of June 16 inclusive
– Sainsbury’s Peri Peri Chicken Wrap with an expiry date of 16 June inclusive
– Sainsbury’s BBQ Pulled Pork and Red Leicester (Sandwich) with a use by date of June 16 inclusive
– Sainsbury’s Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Focaccia (sandwich) with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Sainsbury’s Greek Style Wrap with use by dates up to and including June 16
– Sainsbury’s Jerk Halloumi Wrap with use by dates up to and including June 16
– Amazon shrimp layered salad with a shelf life of June 16 inclusive
– Asda Vegan No Chicken Caesar Wrap with a best before date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda Tuna Crunch Sub Roll with an expiry date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap with a best before date of June 15 inclusive
– Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap with a best before date of June 15 inclusive
Samworth Brothers Manton Wood:
– Tesco chicken salad sandwich with expiry date up to and including June 16
– Tesco Chicken Salad Sub with expiry date up to and including June 16
– The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Wrap with an expiration date of June 16 inclusive
– OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub with use-by dates up to and including June 16
– OneStop chicken salad sandwich with an expiration date of June 17 inclusive
– OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap with an expiration date of June 17 inclusive
– OneStop Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich with an expiration date of June 17 inclusive
– Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap with expiry date up to and including June 16
– Tesco Hoi Sin Duck Wrap with expiry date up to and including June 16
– Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich with a use-by date up to and including June 16
– Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub with expiry dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Tesco chicken, bacon and salad sandwich with an expiry date of June 16 inclusive
– Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap with expiry date up to and including June 16
– Tesco Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap with expiry date up to and including June 16
What is E.coli?
E. coli are a diverse group of bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals. They are normally harmless, although some strains can cause serious illness in humans.
All cases reported in the outbreak involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 (Stec).
According to the UKHSA, there are typically about 1,500 Stec infections in a year.
What are the symptoms of E.coli
People infected with Stec can suffer from diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. In about 50% of cases, bloody diarrhea may develop.
Symptoms can last up to two weeks in uncomplicated cases.
However, virologists have warned that the disease can be much worse in young children, the elderly and people with underlying immune system disorders.
How do you prevent E.coli infection?
You can prevent E.coli by washing and thoroughly cooking pre-prepared bagged salad, fruits and vegetables.
The UKHSA also advises people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, as alcohol gel does not kill all the bugs that cause diarrhoea.
Hand washing is especially important after using the toilet and before preparing food.
If you have symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, do not prepare food for others or visit people in hospitals or nursing homes to avoid spreading the infection.
People should also not attend work, school or daycare until 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.
The UKHSA advises people to call NHS 111 or contact their GP if they are concerned about a baby under 12 months, if a baby stops breastfeeding or bottle-feeding when ill, or if a baby under the age of one shows signs of dehydration, such as there are fewer wet diapers.
You should also seek medical attention if symptoms of dehydration persist after using oral rehydration pouches, if you or your child cannot stop being sick or retain fluids, if you or your child have bloody diarrhea or if the diarrhea lasts for more than seven days, and vomiting for more than two days.