SAINSBURY'S has recalled a product in its Taste the Difference range after it was found to contain listeria monocytogenes.
The supermarket's Spanish Chorizo Iberico Ring should not be eaten as it could make people ill, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warns.
The bacteria can cause listeriosis – a rare infection from consuming contaminated foods.
Symptoms include a fever, aches, pains, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In rare cases, it can result in meningitis – inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
This kills up to half of all people affected if left untreated, Doctors Without Borders says.
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While uncommon, listeriosis alone illness kills one in five patients globally, according to the World Health Organization.
A total 29 of the 99 non-pregnancy cases died in the UK in 2020, according to UK Health Security Agency data.
Listeriosis is especially serious for pregnant women, people over the age of 65, babies, and those with weakened immune systems.
The FSA issued the "do not eat" warning for 200g Spanish Chorizo Iberico Rings with 'use by' dates from November 23, 2023, to January 16, 2024, as a "precaution".
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A spokesperson for the government department said: "Listeria monocytogenes has been found in some of the products.
"Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
"However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.
"Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems."
Sainsbury's added: "This is an important safety warning.
"We are asking customers who have purchased any of the affected batches not to consume it, and to return it to their nearest store, where they will receive a full refund.
"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Listeria is relatively rare, but it is much more serious than salmonella and E. coli.
Thankfully, most healthy immune systems can keep an infection at bay.
However, it can spark listeriosis if the bug makes it into the bloodstream.
This usually brings very mild symptoms, or none at all, and clears up on its own.
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But some people might experience a high temperature (of 38C or above), aches, pains, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
Those who are pregnant, over 65, newborn babies, cancer patients, and people with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to infections, putting them at increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, sepsis and meningitis, the NHS says.
How to avoid listeriosis
WHILE you can't help it if supermarket food you buy is found to contain listeria monocytogenes, there are some things you can do to avoid it at home. These include:
- Keeping chilled, ready-to-eat foods cold (in the fridge at 5C or below)
- Consume ready-to-eat foods within four hours of taking them out of the fridge
- Eat, cook or freeze foods by their 'use by' date
- Follow storage instructions on food labels and use opened food within two days (unless the packaging says otherwise)
- Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate
- Follow any cooking instructions on packaging, and cook or reheat (including frozen vegetables) until they're steaming hot right through
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
You should also avoid certain foods completely if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. These include:
- Ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish products (e.g. smoked salmon or gravlax)
- Uncooked soft cheese (including brie and Camembert)
- Pâté
- Unpasteurised milk or dairy products
- Any under-cooked food
Source: NHS
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