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Recall Roundup: E.coli and undeclared allergens

Posted: 20 January 2023 | | No comments yet

Read this week’s recall roundup involving recalls from the UK and US, including Alfalfa Sprouts due to the detection of Shiga toxin producing E.coli.

Recall Roundup: FGS Ingredients recall continues

E.coli

In this US, Fullei Fresh is recalling its Alfalfa Sprouts after detecting Shiga toxin which produces E.coli (STEC.)

Shiga toxin producing E.coli is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Infection symptoms may include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

Fullei Fresh has said that STEC is a bacterial strain “that is not part of our routine microbial testing conducted in compliance with the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule Subpart M on every lot we produce”. They claim it was detected upon sampling of finished product by the FDA.

According to Fuellei Fresh, there have been no known illnesses reported to date in connection with this product.

The product has a lot number of 336 and was shipped to distributors and retailers in Florida between 9 December and 23 December 2022. The lot numbers are printed on the four ounce retail packs and on 5lb bulk cardboard boxes in the barcode (the last 3 digits being 336).

If you have purchased these products, the advice says to discard them.

Undeclared allergens

Meanwhile in the UK, Tesco has issued an England, Scotland and Wales specific recall for its Tesco Free From Golden Syrup Porridge Pot because it contains milk that is not declared on the label.

The product is sold in a 55g pack and has the batch code 2252. The best before date to look out for is 1 September 2023.

Tesco has recalled the above product and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations which will tell their members about the recall. The supermarket has also issued a recall notice to its customers to explain why the product is being recalled.

Consumers who have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents have been advised not to eat it, instead they can return it to the store of purchase for a full refund.

Episode 25 – Emerging allergens

Elsewhere in the UK, Marks & Spencer is recalling its Count on Us Thai style green Curry because some packs contain crustaceans and molluscs that are not mentioned on the label. This recall is England, Scotland and Wales specific.

The product is sold in a pack size of 350g and has a use by date of 22 January 2023.

Marks & Spencer is currently recalling the above product from customers and has contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. The company has also issued a recall notice to its customers, to explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what to do if they have bought the product.

Consumers who have purchased the above product and have an allergy to crustaceans and/or molluscs, have been advised not to eat it. Instead, they can return it to their nearest store for a full refund.

To read last week’s recall roundup, click here.