Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose products pulled from shelves due to deadly listeria outbreak
The bacteria has already been linked to 11 deaths across Europe, including two in the UK
SUPERMARKETS across the country have pulled bags of own brand frozen vegetables because they could contain a deadly bacteria that has already been linked to two deaths in the UK.
Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Iceland and Waitrose have all withdrawn 43 sweetcorn-based products over fears they could contain listeria monocytogenes.
The deadly disease is a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.
The bacteria can cause a life threatening infection, where symptoms can appear similar to the flu, including a high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
The notice on the Food Standards Agency states that the bacteria can be killed through cooking, but sweetcorn can be eaten raw and could be a potential threat.
Tens of thousands of products have been pulled and customers are being advised not to eat them, and instead return them to the store in exchange for a refund.
What items have been recalled?
SUPERMARKETS are recalling all batches of the following products.
If you have any of them, do not eat them. Instead, you should return them to the store in exchange for a full refund.
- Pinguin Frozen Sweetcorn
- Pinguin Supersweet Sweetcorn
- Tesco Frozen Broccoli, Carrot and Sweetcorn Steamer
- Tesco Frozen Every Day Value Sweetcorn
- Ross Mixed Vegetables
- One Stop Frozen Sweetcorn
- Aldi Four Seasons Frozen Vegetable Steamers
- Aldi Frozen Four Seasons Mixed Vegetables
- Pinguin Sweetcorn
- Aldi Four Seasons Supersweet Sweetcorn
- Waitrose Essential Supersweet Sweetcorn
- Waitrose Essential Mixed Vegetable
- Tesco Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Waitrose Fine Cut Vegetable Steamer
- Waitrose Love Life Vegetable Medley Steamers
- Sainsbury Frozen Special Mixed Vegetables
- Growers Pride Mixed Vegetables
- Sainsbury Frozen Basic Mixed Vegetables
- Sainsbury Frozen Rice Broccoli and Sweetcorn
- Sainsbury Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Sainsbury Frozen Carrot Broccoli and Sweetcorn
- Pinguin Supersweet Corn
- Lidl Frozen Green Grocer Supersweet Corn
- Tesco Growers Harvest Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Lidl Frozen Freshona Vegetable Mix
- Iceland Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Pinguin Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Independent Mix Vegetables
- Ross Mixed Vegetables
- Pinguin Mixed Vegetable
- Pinguin Frozen Cut Beans
- Growers Pride Mixed Vegetables
- Ross Mixed Country Vegetables
- Growers Pride Supersweet Sweetcorn
- Pinguin frozen Golden Rice and Vegetables
- Growers Pride Supersweet Sweetcorn
- Ross Sweetcorn – 450g
- Ross Sweetcorn – 1kg
- Tesco Frozen Sweetcorn
- Tesco frozen Mixed Vegetables and Peppers
- Tesco Broccoli Frozen Sweetcorn Peas and Spinach Steamer
- Tesco Frozen Growers Harvest Carrot Peas and Sweetcorn Steamer
- Tesco Frozen Growers Harvest Mixed Vegetables
All of the products, including Tesco frozen broccoli, carrot and sweetcorn steamer, and Aldi four seasons frozen vegetable steamers, are made by Belgian firm Greenyard Frozen UK.
The foods have been recalled “as a precautionary step” but so far 11 people in the UK have been affected by listeriosis dating back to 2015, with dozens more in four other countries across Europe.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which also warned about eating uncooked frozen products including spinach and green beans, said nine of those 47 cases resulted in death, two of them were in the UK last year.
Dr Kathie Grant from Public Health England said: “Most people won’t have any symptoms of the infection or will only experience mild symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, which usually pass within a few days without the need for treatment.
“More serious infection can develop in those with weakened immune systems or in vulnerable groups including babies, the elderly or pregnant women.
“The best way to prevent listeriosis is to practise good food hygiene.
“Along with the FSA, FSS (Food Standards Scotland) and HPS (Health Protection Scotland), we are reminding people that most frozen vegetables, including sweetcorn, need to be cooked before eating.
“This includes if adding them to salads, smoothies or dips.”
The Sun has contacted Greenyard for comment.
Nine varieties of soy sauces being sold in UK supermarkets have been recalled over fears they could contain glass.
Last week, Sainsbury’s recalled its own-brand fruit and honey seed snack bagsbecause some of them actually contain nuts.
Recently, the supermarket also pulled a batch of sliced beetroot from shelves over fears it may contain glass.
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