The Food Standards Agency has issued an urgent recall affecting pre-packaged fruit items sold across six of Britain’s largest supermarket chains following the detection of Salmonella bacteria.
Fruit supplier PrepWorld withdrew multiple ready-to-eat products from Asda, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose after testing revealed contamination in apples and kiwi used in the items.
The recall, announced on Tuesday, covers fruit pots and snack packs bearing use-by dates of 23 or 24 June.
Shoppers who have purchased any of the affected products are being advised not to consume them and to return them to the store for a full refund.
Tesco is among the supermarkets affected by the recall
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Tesco has been most heavily affected, with four products removed from shelves: a 250g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry pot priced at £2.50, a 100g Kiwi Fruit Pot at £1.50, 290g Fruit Kebabs featuring kiwi, watermelon, mango and pineapple chunks costing £4.10, and a smaller 125g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry pack at £1.50.
Sainsbury’s and M&S have each recalled three items. Morrisons has pulled a single product from sale: a 220g Kiwi, Melon & Strawberries pack retailing at £2.50.
Asda’s sole affected item is a 220g Pink Lady Apple, Mango, Strawberry & Blueberry fruit pot sold for £2.75.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella represents one of the most prevalent causes of food poisoning worldwide, typically manifesting through fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
Though commonly linked to undercooked meat, poultry and eggs, fresh produce can equally harbour the bacteria.
The FSA has warned that certain groups face heightened risks of severe illness, including young children, adults aged 65 and above, and those with weakened immune systems.
NHS guidance indicates that symptoms generally appear within hours or days of consuming contaminated food, although onset may occasionally be delayed by several weeks.
Those affected are advised to maintain fluid intake, rest, take paracetamol if needed, and eat when able.
The FSA confirmed that PrepWorld is coordinating the recall, with notices being displayed at all affected retail locations.
“These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products,” the agency stated.
Salmonella represents one of the most prevalent causes of food poisoning worldwide
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GETTYCustomers who have purchased any of the recalled items should return them to the store where they were bought to receive a full refund.
This latest alert follows a similar incident approximately twelve months ago when Lidl withdrew its Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings over Salmonella concerns, with shoppers offered refunds without requiring a receipt.