A third company has initiated a recall due to potential E. coli (Escherichia coli bacteria) contamination, urging customers to avoid consuming a specific product. Vegan chicken and bacon wraps sold exclusively at WHSmith have been withdrawn from shelves, and customers who purchased them can return the product for a full refund.
The recall, issued by the food manufacturer THIS, applies to all wraps bought up to and including Tuesday, 18 June. Although no E. coli has been detected in the wraps, the recall is a precautionary measure in response to concerns about contaminated ingredients.
Health officials are working to identify the source of the current E. coli outbreak, which has resulted in 211 confirmed cases as of 11 June, with at least 67 people requiring hospital treatment.
E. coli bacteria, typically harmless inhabitants of the human and animal gut, can cause severe illness in the form of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever, sometimes leading to serious complications like kidney failure.
Trish Mannes from the UK Health Security Agency advises individuals experiencing symptoms to follow NHS guidance. She emphasises the importance of handwashing and surface disinfection to prevent further spread of the infection. Those potentially infected should avoid preparing food for others and refrain from work or school until 48 hours after symptoms subside.
Both Greencore Group and Samworth Brothers Manton Wood have expressed commitment to high food safety standards and are cooperating with authorities to investigate the outbreak’s source.
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