THREE supermarkets have recalled batches of a kitchen staple over fears it may contain Salmonella.
Diarrhoea, stomach pain and fever can follow if infected with the bacteria, sparking a scramble to notify customers.
The Food Standards Agency has issued an alert over AB World Foods recalling 160g Al’Fez Natural Tahini due to possible salmonella contamination.
Stores that sold the product – including Tesco, Asda and Morrisons – will now display point of sale notices which explain why the tahini is being recalled and what customers can do about it.
The customer notice displays the batch numbers 3355, 4004, 4023, 4024, 4039 and 4040.
The best-before dates are from 06.2025 to 08.2025.
The notice says: “Al-Fez is taking the precautionary step of recalling the above date codes of 160g jars of Tahini sold in stores across the UK.
“No other Al’Fez products, date codes or best before dates are affected.
“If you have one of the products detailed above, please return it to store for a full refund. You do not need a receipt.”
Customers who bought the spread online are urged to contact the Al’Fez service team on 0800 0195 617 or consumer.services@abworldfoods.com.
Tesco sells the spread for £2, down from £3.
It’s also available at Morrisons for £2.50 and Asda for £1.80, a discount from the usual £2.50 tag.
Ocada lists it online for £2, down from £2.90.
Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds.
Originating from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, it can be used as a spread, dip, dressing and is the key ingredient in hummus and baba ghanoush.
According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand, it has a “high risk” of salmonella contamination.
It can become contaminated due to the quality of water used to irrigate seeds, use of untreated manure as fertiliser and how the seeds are dried.
There was a major recall for Roland-branded Tahini in multiple American states in February after the US Food and Drug Administration alerted of potential contamination.
Terri-Ann Williams
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
It gets its name from the man who discovered it some 125 years ago – an American scientist named Dr Salmon.
The illness people get from a salmonella infection is called salmonellosis.
Anyone can get sick from the bug, but young kids, elderly people, pregnant women, and others with weakened immune systems such as those battling cancer are especially vulnerable.
Salmonellosis develops after ingesting salmonella bacteria, and symptoms usually take between 12 and 72 hours to develop.
However, not everyone gets symptoms. And the NHS says symptoms could lay low for “a few weeks” before emerging.
Typical signs of infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and sometimes vomiting and fever.
