Soup sold in Asda and Waitrose pulled from shelves over fears it contains deadly listeria bacteria
SOUPS sold in Asda, Ocado and Waitrose have been pulled from shelves over fears they contains the deadly listeria bacteria.
Soupologie, the manufacturers, are urging shoppers not eat three different flavours of its soups - the 5 a day classic tomato with carrot and red pepper; broccoli, pea and basil; and pea and leek.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis if contaminated food is eaten.
In extreme cases can cause life-threatening illnesses including sepsis, meningitis and encephalitis.
If eaten, it can induce flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
Listeria infection can go unnoticed in healthy people but it is a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.
The bacteria is the cause of a food poisoning scandal in the NHS that has so far killed five patients after pre-packed hospital sandwiches were found to be contaminated.
It was also the reason behind a mass recall of frozen veg sold at Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Iceland and Waitrose.
All three batches of affected soups weigh 600g and cost around £3.60 depending on the retailer.
The tomato flavoured soups have a batch code of 03969 and a best before date of October 1 2019.
The broccoli flavoured one has a batch code of 03984 and 03980 for the pea and leek version.
Both have a best before date of October 2 2019.
Your product recall rights
PRODUCT recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
The batch code and best before date can be found along the bottom or the base of the pot.
In a notice issued on theFood Standards Agency website, the organisation said: "If you have bought any of these products, do not eat them.
"Instead return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund, with or without receipt.
"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."
If you have one of the affected soups at home then you should return it to where you bought it from in exchange for a full refund.
Latest product recalls
You don't have to bring your receipt or any other proof of purchase.
Customers with any concerns can also call Soupologie on 01354 697645 or e-mail at [email protected].
No other Soupology product has been affected by the recall.
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