HEALTH ALERT
Full list of 61 products recalled over fears they contain deadly E. coli – from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Aldi and more
How to protect yourself from the bacterial and what to do if you think you are infected
OVER 60 products sold in major UK supermarkets and chains have been recalled over fears they contain deadly E. coli bacteria.
Brits have been warned not to eat a selection of wraps, sandwiches and salads after an outbreak of the nasty gastrointestinal illness landed dozens in hospital.
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With experts warning that a "nationally distributed food item" or "multiple food items" could the the source of sickness, several manufacturers pulled products from shelves as a precaution and warned shoppers not to eat them.
The latest product to be recalled over E. coli contamination fears is the THIS! vegan chicken and bacon wrap sold at WHSmith.
While the manufacturer noted that E. coli had not been detected in the product, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) asked anyone who bought the product at any point up to and including June 18, not to eat it and return it to their nearest store for a full refund.
It came just days after manufacturers Greencore Group and Samworth Brothers Manton Wood recalled a variety of sandwiches, wraps and salads over similar concerns.
Read more on food recalls
Other affected retailers where products have been recalled include Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, Co-op, and retail pharmacy chain Boots.
News of the E. coli outbreak emerged earlier this month, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warning that 113 people had fallen ill and 37 were hospitalised with a rare strain of the bacteria called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 (STEC).
As of June 11, there have been a further 98 cases associated with this outbreak of STEC O145 in the UK, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 211.
A STEC infection can cause nasty and sometimes severe symptoms, including diarrhoea that can be bloody, tummy pain and fever.
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In serious cases, the infection can damage organs, such as the kidneys.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the FSA, said: "Sandwich manufacturers are taking a precautionary measure to recall various sandwiches, wraps, subs and rolls to identify the cause of an ongoing outbreak caused by STEC.
What to do next if you have recalled food or products
"This is a complex investigation, and we have worked swiftly with the relevant businesses and the local authorities concerned to narrow down the wide range of foods.
"The FSA is here to ensure that food is safe. If there are products on the market that are not, we won't hesitate to take action to remove them."
Full list of recalls
If there is a problem with a food that means it shouldn't be sold, then it might be withdrawn - which means it's taken off the shelves - or recalled when customers are asked to return the product.
Here is the full list of sandwiches, wraps and salads recalled over fears they might contain dangerous bacteria, where each of them is sold and the 'use-by' date on the last affected batch.
Asda
- Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap - June 15
- Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - June 15
- Chicken & Bacon Club (Sandwich) - June 15
- Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (Sandwich) - June 15
- BLT (Sandwich) - June 16
- Vegan No Chick'n Caesar Wrap - June 15
- Tuna Crunch Sub Roll - June 15
- Southern Fried Chicken Wrap - June 15
- Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap - June 15
ALDI
- Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap - June 16
Amazon
- Chicken Salad Sandwich - June 16
- Ploughman’s Sandwich - June 16
- Chicken & Bacon Layered Salad - June 16
- Prawn Layered Salad - June 16
- BLT Sandwich - June 16
Boots
- BBQ Chicken Wrap - June 16
- BLT (Sandwich) - June 16
- Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich) - June 16
- Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap - June 16
- Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - June 16
- Chicken Triple (Sandwich) - June 16
- Delicious Ham & Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich) - June 16
- Halloumi & Greek Style Salad wrap - June 16
- Ham & Egg Club (Sandwich) - June 16
- Mixed Triple (Sandwich) - June 16
- Southern Fried Chicken Wrap - June 16
- Spicy Bean & Cheese Wrap - June 16
- Vegan No Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - June 16
- Vegan No Duck & Hoisin Wrap - June 16
- Veggie Triple (Sandwich) - June 16
Co-op
- Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich) - June 16
- Mexican Style Bean & Cheese Wrap - June 16
- Ham, Cheese & Pickle (Sandwich) - June 16
- Ham & Cheese Wrap - June 16
- Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap - June 17
- Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (Sandwich) - June 16
Morrisons
- Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - June 16
- Chicken Salad PFS (Sandwich) - June 16
- Gluten-Free Chicken Salad (Sandwich) - June 16
- Gluten-Free Sandwich Platter - June 16
One Stop
- Tuna Crunch Sub - June 16
- Chicken Salad Sandwich - June 17
- Hoisin Duck Wrap - June 17
- Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich - June 17
Sainsbury’s
- Peri Peri Chicken Wrap - June 16
- BBQ Pulled Pork & Red Leicester (Sandwich) - June 16
- Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Focaccia (Sandwich) - June 16
- Greek Style Wrap - June 16
- Jerk Halloumi Wrap - June 16
Tesco
- Chicken Salad Sandwich - June 16
- Chicken Salad Sub - June 16
- BBQ Chicken Wrap - June 16
- Hoi Sin Duck Wrap - June 16
- The Chicken Club Sandwich - June 16
- Tuna Crunch Sub - June 16
- Spicy Bean Wrap - June 16
- Chicken Bacon & Lettuce Sandwich - June 16
- Fajita Chicken Wrap - June 16
- Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap - June 16
WH Smith
- THIS! Ins't Chicken & Bacon Wrap - June 18
What are the symptoms of STEC?
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli can cause gastrointestinal illness that can become severe.
The most common type of STEC in the UK is O157, according to a 2017 report by .
Some people who are exposed to STEC do not become ill. Others develop stomach cramps and bloody diarrhoea.
Symptoms can also include vomiting, fever, and chills.
In severe cases, the infection can damage organs, such as the kidneys.
Symptoms can appear anywhere from one to ten days after exposure but usually appear around three to four days after exposure.
Most of those affected by the bug will get better without treatment within a week. Sufferers are advised to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Are you at risk of getting it?
People can become infected by:
- Eating contaminated food
- Contact with infected animals either directly or through inadvertent contact with animal faeces, for example at farms, petting farms and campsites
- Contact with other people who have the illness (through inadequate hand hygiene after using the toilet, before food handling - particularly in households, nurseries, infant schools, or both
- Drinking water from inadequately treated water supplies
- Swimming or playing in contaminated water such as ponds or streams
STEC are very infectious because very few bacteria are needed to cause illness.
This means that disease can spread easily within families and in other settings such as day nurseries, primary schools, nursing homes and hospitals where there are young children and others who might have difficulty keeping clean.
How can you protect yourself from STEC?
An STEC infection can be prevented by taking the following precautions:
- Cook all minced meat products (burgers, meatloaf, meatballs) thoroughly, until the colour is the same all the way through, and no blood runs from them
- Ensure refrigerators are working correctly - bacteria grow more quickly at temperatures over 4oC
- Only leave cooked foods, meat and dairy products out at room temperature for a short time
- Store uncooked meats below-cooked meats and salad vegetables to avoid dripping juices onto ready-to-eat food
- Store uncooked and cooked meats on different plates, and avoid all contact between raw and cooked meats
- Thoroughly wash all salad vegetables and do not prepare them with utensils that have also been used for raw meat
- Children and the elderly who are particularly susceptible to the severe effects of STEC should avoid eating or drinking unpasteurised dairy products
- People who have been ill should not prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after they have recovered
- Boil any drinking water if you are unsure of its source
- Do not swim in water that you think may be contaminated by cattle and sheep in nearby fields
- Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet (or helping others including changing nappies), handling raw meat, before meals and after contact with animals
Source: PHE
Likely contaminants
The FSA said it had narrowed the source of the outbreak "to a small number of salad leaf products that have been used in sandwiches, wraps, subs and rolls".
Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia (UEA), said that if the current STEC outbreak is caused by sandwiches and wraps, the most likely source is contaminated ingredients like "leafy salads or sprouted seeds".
“But salads are only one possible cause of STEC outbreaks," he added.
Other likely harbingers of E. coli include "undercooked beef, unpasteurised milk and dairy products", Prof Hunter said.
Food isn't the only way people might get an E. coli infection.
The bacteria can be passed on through contact with farm animals or their manure, untreated drinking water, swimming in contaminated surface waters, international travel and contact with ill people, the disease expert added.
“But not all STEC infections are associated with outbreaks," he said.
“It is very difficult to reduce your risk of STEC from foodborne infections other than by cutting out many food items, which is probably unrealistic.
"However, good handwashing practice, especially if you are preparing food, caring for pre-school children or are ill or in contact with others who are ill, is very important in risk reduction.”
Prof Hunter warned: "STEC infections can be very severe and there is a higher risk of hospitalisation and death in people with STEC infections than we see in most other causes of diarrhoea."
Very young babies, very old people and those with pre-existing illnesses tend to be most at risk.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you do have symptoms of STEC, like diarrhoea and vomiting, do not prepare food for others and do not visit people in hospitals or care homes to avoid passing on the infection.
People should also not attend work, school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
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UKHSA advises people to call NHS 111 or contact their GP surgery if they are concerned about a baby under 12 months, if a child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill, or if a child under five years of age shows signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies.
You should also seek medical help if signs of dehydration persist after using oral rehydration sachets, if you or your child can not stop being sick or keep fluid down if you or your child has bloody diarrhoea, or if diarrhoea lasts for more than seven days and vomiting more than two days.
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