The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued several “do not eat” alerts in recent weeks, prompting recalls of products from major retailers. Suspected listeria in potato salads sold through major chains, an undeclared milk warning on Lidl chicken products and hidden soya in a Tesco Katsu Curry are among the most recent warnings.
Food retailers must immediately withdraw or recall any unsafe or incorrectly labelled items, coordinating with the Food Standards Agency and local authorities. The legal framework, including the Food Safety Act 1990, requires companies to prevent risks to health and ensure allergens are clearly declared. These are the current product recalls for food still within its ‘best before’ dates.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s issued a significant recall for its Classic and Lemon & Coriander Houmous products due to the possible presence of E. coli (STEC). The FSA advised customers who had purchased the specific products not to consume them and to return them to the store for a full refund.
The specific products recalled were:
- JS Classic Houmous (315g) with a use-by date of September 13, 2025
- JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous (200g) with a use-by date of September 14, 2025
The FSA and Sainsbury’s both released notices to inform the public of the recall, and point-of-sale notices were also displayed in stores.
Symptoms of STEC infection can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and, in severe cases, haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.
Lidl
Lidl is recalling Red Hen Tempura Chicken Steaks because milk is present but not highlighted on the label, posing a “possible health risk” to those with a milk allergy.
The 380g four-packs with best-before dates of December 11, 16, 22 and 30, 2026, and January 17, 2027, should be returned for a “full refund” and not eaten.
Tesco
Potato salad sold at several retailers, including Tesco, has been pulled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recall covers Island Salads Potato & Bacon Salad 300g with a use-by date of 25 September 2025, plus Provenance Potato & Bacon Salad 200g dated September 14 and 16, 2025.
The FSA warns that “symptoms can be similar to flu,” with high temperature, muscle aches, chills, sickness, and diarrhoea. In rare cases, it can lead to meningitis. Anyone who has the affected products has been urged not to eat them and instead return them for a refund.
Tesco has issued a “do not eat” notice for its Free From Katsu Curry Meal Kit due to undeclared soya. The notice covers all packs with best-before dates up to and including December 12.
The FSA has also warned that Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai 95g bars contain undeclared peanuts and present a “serious risk” to those with allergies, advising businesses to “immediately stop sales” and carry out withdrawals and recalls.
La Sovrana has recalled its Vittoria Friarielli alla Napoletana (broccoli in oil) due to a potential presence of Clostridium botulinum.
The 1000g jars with batch code 280325 and a best-before date of 23 March 2028 are affected.
According to the FSA, “botulinum toxin may cause a serious form of food poisoning” that can be fatal, with symptoms including vomiting, stomach cramps, double vision, and breathing difficulties. Anyone who has eaten it and feels unwell should “seek urgent healthcare advice” via their GP or NHS 111.