Food manufacturers have recalled sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in several major supermarkets over concerns they are linked to a serious outbreak of E.coli.
More than 200 cases of the infection have been confirmed across Britain so far. This figure is expected to rise in the coming week.
Earlier this month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that E.coli cases reported in the UK were part of a single outbreak.
Virologists have warned that the disease could be much worse in young children, the elderly and people with underlying conditions in their immune systems.
Due to the “broad geographic distribution of the cases,” the agency said it believed this was linked to a nationally distributed food item or multiple food items.
On June 14, major food manufacturers issued product recalls covering a variety of sandwiches, wraps and salads.
Greencore Group was the first company to launch a product recall on June 14, closely followed by Samworth Brothers Manton Wood. Food maker THIS! has since recalled its vegan chicken and bacon wrap.
The products recalled by Greencore include sandwiches, wraps and salads sold at Sainsbury’s, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons, Co-op and pharmacy chain Boots.
Here is the full list of products recalled due to possible E.coli contamination:
THIS!:
– WH Smith THIS! Isn’t it a Chicken and Bacon Wrap with expiration dates through June 18
Greencore group:
– Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap with best before date until June 16
– Amazon BLT Sandwich with best before dates through June 16
– Asda Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap with best before date until 15 June
– Asda Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with best before date until 15 June
– Asda Chicken and Bacon Club (Sandwich) with best before dates until 15 June
– Asda Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (Sandwich) with best before date until June 15
– Asda BLT (Sandwich) with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots BBQ Chicken Wrap with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots BLT (Sandwich) with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Boots Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap with a best before date of June 16
– Boots Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich with best before dates through June 16
– Boots Chicken Triple (Sandwich) with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots Delicious Ham and Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Boots Halloumi and Greek Style Salad Wrap with best before date until June 16
– Boots Ham and Egg Club (Sandwich) with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots Mixed Triple (Sandwich) with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots Southern Fried Chicken Wrap with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Boots Spicy Bean and Cheese Wrap with best before date until June 16
– Boots Vegan No Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Boots Vegan No Duck and Hoisin Wrap with an expiration date until June 16
– Boots Veggie Triple (Sandwich) with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Amazon Plowman’s Sandwich with best before dates through June 16
– Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Mexican-style Co-op Bean and Cheese Wrap with best before dates through June 16
– Coop Ham, Cheese and Pickle (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Co-op Ham and Cheese Wrap with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Co-op Caesar Wrap with chicken and bacon with best before date until 17 June
– Co-op Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Morrisons Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with best before date until 16 June
– Morrisons Chicken Salad PFS (Sandwich) with a best before date of June 16
– Morrisons Gluten Free Chicken Salad (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Morrisons Gluten Free Sandwich Platter with best before date until June 16
– Amazon Chicken and Bacon Layered Salad with expiration date through June 16
– Sainsbury’s Peri Peri Chicken Wrap with best before date until June 16
– Sainsbury’s BBQ Pulled Pork and Red Leicester (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Sainsbury’s Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Focaccia (Sandwich) with best before date until June 16
– Sainsbury’s Greek Style Wrap with best before dates until 16 June
– Sainsbury’s Jerk Halloumi Wrap with best before date until June 16
– Amazon Prawn Layered Salad with best before date until June 16
– Asda Vegan No Chicken Caesar Wrap with best before date until June 15
– Asda Tuna Crunch Sub Roll with best before date until 15 June
– Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap with best before date until 15 June
– Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap with best before date until 15 June
Samworth brothers Manton Wood:
– Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco Chicken Salad Sub with best before dates up to and including June 16
– The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Chilled Wrap with best before date until June 16
– OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub with expiration dates through June 16
– OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich with best before dates up to and including June 17
– OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap with expiration dates through June 17
– OneStop Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich with best before dates up to and including June 17
– Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco Hoi Sin Duck Wrap with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap with best before date until 16 June
– Tesco Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich with best before date until 16 June
– Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap with best before dates up to and including June 16
– Tesco Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap with best before dates until 16 June
What is E.coli?
E. coli is a diverse group of bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals. Normally they are harmless, although some types can make people very sick.
All cases recorded in the outbreak involve Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 (Stec).
According to UKHSA, there are typically around 1,500 Stec infections over a full year.
What are the symptoms of E.coli
People infected with Stec can suffer from diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. About 50% of cases may develop bloody diarrhea.
In uncomplicated cases, symptoms can last up to two weeks.
However, virologists have warned that the disease can be much worse in young children, the elderly and people with underlying conditions in their immune systems.
How do you prevent an E.coli infection?
You can prevent E.coli by making sure you wash and thoroughly cook ready-made salad bags, fruits and vegetables.
The UKHSA also advises people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, as alcohol gel does not kill all the insects that cause diarrhoea.
Washing hands is especially important after using the toilet and before preparing food.
If you have symptoms such as diarrhea 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 go to work, school or daycare until 48 hours after symptoms have disappeared.
UKHSA advises people to call NHS 111 or contact their GP if they are concerned about a baby under 12 months of age, if a child stops breast or bottle feeding while ill, or if a child under one year shows signs of dehydration. such as fewer wet diapers.
You should also seek medical attention if signs of dehydration persist after using oral rehydration sachets, if you or your child cannot stop being sick or keep fluids down, if you or your child have bloody diarrhea, or if the diarrhea lasts longer than seven days. and vomiting for more than two days.