Tesco has withdrawn three varieties of prepared pasta salad from sale following the detection of salmonella during routine quality checks.
The contaminated products include items with today’s use-by date of July 25, as well as those dated July 24.
The affected range comprises Basil Pesto & Semi Dried Tomato Pasta, Chicken & Chorizo Pasta, and Feta Semi Dried Tomato Pasta products.
While the pesto and feta varieties only affected stock dated yesterday (July 24), chicken and chorizo pastas bearing both yesterday’s and today’s use-by dates are impacted.
So, Tesco shoppers must check their kitchens immediately to ensure they do not have affected Tesco Chicken & Chorizo Pasta dishes at home.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an urgent alert after the contamination was discovered.
Customers who have purchased these items were told not to consume them due to potential health risks associated with salmonella infection.
The FSA warned that “symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps”.
Health officials advise anyone experiencing these symptoms to remain at home and avoid work, educational settings or nurseries for a minimum of 48 hours after symptoms cease to prevent transmission.
Tesco
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Affected batches of Chicken & Chorizo Pasta have a use-by date of July 24 and July 25
Tesco stated: “We are asking customers who have purchased the affected product with the above ‘use by’ date codes not to eat it, but to return it in-store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.” Britons can find their nearest supermarket on Tesco’s store locator.
The supermarket confirmed that routine testing procedures identified the contamination, prompting immediate withdrawal of the affected batches.
Store personnel have been directed to remove all implicated items from shelves whilst the company investigates the source of the contamination.
Tesco emphasised that no other pasta products in their range have been impacted by this safety issue.
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Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps
Customers seeking additional information can contact the retailer through their dedicated helpline or visit the company’s website for updates.
The pasta salad contamination follows another serious food safety incident involving Tesco.
A person has died from listeriosis after consuming ready-to-eat products manufactured by Ballymaguire Foods, sold at the supermarket.
The fatality prompted the immediate withdrawal of numerous prepared meals and accompaniments from Ballymaguire’s range.
Health authorities in Ireland are investigating the death, though patient privacy regulations prevent disclosure of further details.
These successive contamination incidents raise questions about quality control procedures across Tesco’s supply chain.
The supermarket faces scrutiny over two separate bacterial contaminations affecting ready-to-eat products within its stores, underscoring potential vulnerabilities in food safety protocols.
About product recalls and withdrawals
While food recalls are relatively rare, they should always be taken seriously to ensure shopper safety.
The FSA explained: “If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
“The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
“In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.”
