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.
With experts warning that a “nationally distributed food item” or “multiple food items” could the the source of sickness, a number of manufacturers pulled products off shelves as a precaution and warned shoppers not to eat them.
The latest product to be recalled as a “precautionary measure” over E. Coli contamination fears was the THIS! vegan chicken and bacon wrap sold at WH Smith.
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 Tuesday, June 18, not to eat it and return it to the 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.
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 11 June, 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.
In serious cases, the infection can damage organs, such as the kidneys.
Darren Whitby, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, 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 STEC.
“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.”
If there is a problem with a food that means it shouldn’t be sold, then it might be withdrawn – which means it’s taken off the shelves – or recalled, when customers are asked to return the product.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 are sold and the ‘use by’ date on the last affected batch.
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 Public Health England.
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:
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:
Source: PHE
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) that if the current STEC outbreak is in fact caused by sandwiches and wraps, the most likely source is contaminated ingredient 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, as the bacteria can be passed around from 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.
“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.
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.
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 child under give 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 last for more than seven days and vomiting more than two days.
