Food Agency Issues Recall on Ready-To-Eat Items For Causing “Flu-Like Symptoms”
In recent weeks, several popular food and drink products have been recalled, highlighting significant health risks and shaking consumer trust.
From ready-to-eat meals to popular beverages, these recalls have included everything from bacterial contamination to mislabeling issues, urging consumers to be more vigilant about their purchases.
The Hidden Dangers of Listeria in Everyday Foods
Listeria monocytogene is a bacterium found in the recalled chilled food products, such as sandwiches and wraps, which are often sold in convenience stores.
![A close-up photo of E. coli bacteria under a microscope](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/05/84535d11-img22.jpg)
Source: Freepik
The dangerous bacterium can cause symptoms that mimic the flu, including high fever and muscle aches, in those who ingest the contaminated foods.
Food Standards Agency Issues Warnings
The Food Standards Agency has issued warnings, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and pregnant women.
![An image of several reporters interviewing a man on the street](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/04/372548fb-img28.jpg)
Source: Freepik
During a press release they wrote, “Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhea.”
Recalled Products: Identifying the Risk
The specific products recalled due to Listeria contamination include brands like Bread Spread, Orbital Foods, and Perfect Bite.
![Bread Spread Sandwiches that are cut](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/05/037cb57e-bread-spread-sandwiches.jpg)
Source: Bread Spread Limited
Products range from sandwiches to French sticks with use-by dates from May 10 to May 18, 2024. These items, usually found in independent convenience stores, pose a serious health risk if consumed.
Food Wasn’t Manufactured In Accordance With Safety Laws
During their recall announcement, the Food Standards Agency claimed that some of the foods produced by Bread Spread may not have been manufactured in accordance with food safety laws.
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Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory/Facebook
As per the statement, some of the products contain Listeria monocytogenes, which means that “in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.”
Items on the Recall List
The British-based Bread Spread provides convenience stores across the UK with a plethora of products, many of which are on the recall list.
![https://www.savvydime.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=23974612&action=edit](https://images.savvydime.com/2023/12/6352d9bb-subway-style-sandwich.jpg)
Source: Pexels
This includes popular favorites such as ham cheese, French stick, and egg sausage sandwiches, as well as the Chicken tikka sandwich, Chicken salad sandwich, Chicken sweetcorn sandwich, Ham cheese sandwich, Cheese ploughman sandwich, Chicken may soft roll, and egg mayo soft roll.
Several Other Problems With the Food
While the harmful bacterium Listeria monocytogene was identified in several products, other problems with the food have arisen, leading to the recall announcement.
![A close-up of a partially eaten hamburger with sesame seed bun, revealing the layers of beef patty, cheese, and condiments, wrapped in branded paper, with out-of-focus fries in the background](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/04/2bcb2210-untitled-design-34.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The FSA said in a statement: “These products are also subject to a number of hygiene and traceability contraventions which makes them unsafe to eat.”
A Developing Situation
As it stands, the FSA admitted that more items may be added to the recall list in the near future.
![A group of female reporters are pictured taking a statement from a man in a suit](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/03/23f17bf9-screenshot-2024-03-25-210433.jpg)
Source: Freepik
“It is a developing situation; the list of affected products below may be incomplete. All chilled and ready-to-eat foods with a use-by date up to and including 18 May 2024 manufactured or supplied by Bread Spread Ltd are affected,” they said.
How to Handle a Product Recall
Customers who have purchased any recalled food items are urged to return them immediately for a full refund.
![Photograph from the USDA showing a spatula flipping steak on a grill with the words “Recalls & Public Health Alerts”](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/05/86773b7e-1-12.jpg)
Source: USDA
The recall covers all products regardless of the purchase condition, with or without a receipt, ensuring that all potentially hazardous foods are returned and safely disposed of.
Risk Assessment From the FSA
According to the FSA’s own risk assessment, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the previously mentioned products is of grave danger to anyone who consumes the pre-prepared food.
![A woman lying down in bed sick.](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/05/b4ca32f4-pexels-olly-3768582.jpg)
Source: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
However, “Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one-month-old and people with weakened immune systems,” they said.
A Final Warning From the FSA
At the end of their statement, the FSA issued a final warning to anyone who has any of the previously mentioned products in their fridge to avoid eating them.
![Close-up of a person biting into a sesame seed burger with cheese, lettuce, and tomato, focusing on the sandwich and the person's hands](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/04/1c176952-untitled-design-31.jpg)
Source: Marcel Heil/Unsplash
“If you have purchased any products listed above, or any other products that are chilled or ready-to-eat from Bread Spread Ltd, do not eat them. Instead, dispose of the products safely, at home,” they wrote.
The Authorities Have Been Notified
“As these products have not been prepared in accordance with food hygiene, safety, and other legislative requirements, they do not comply with the requirements of assimilated EU Regulations,” the FSA’s statement read.
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Source: Rayner Simpson/Unsplash
They finished by mentioning that “Local Authorities have been requested to remove unsafe products from the market. Any concerns regarding unsafe foods should be reported to the local authority where it was purchased.”
E. coli Alert: Ground Beef Recall
Prior to this, the US Food and Safety Inspection Service announced a recall of approximately 16,243 pounds of ground beef after detecting E. coli.
![Exterior of a Walmart store focused on the sign/Raw ground beef in a pile on a wooden chopping board with a white sticker that reads “Recalled”](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/05/d4308608-img6.jpg)
Source: Shutterstock/Freepik
The contaminated beef, sold in Walmarts across twelve states, was supposed to be kept segregated but was mistakenly processed into consumer products.
Beef Products Recalled
The beef products were produced by Cargill Meat Solutions and included many of their most popular items, such as the “93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF.”
![Two cows behind wire in a field in the daytime.](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/05/4cf4ad39-daniel-jerez-33nun4t_b7q-unsplash.jpg)
Source: Daniel Jerez/Unsplash
Others included the 1.33 lbs. Plastic-wrapped trays containing four “PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES,” 2.25 lbs. Plastic-wrapped trays containing “85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF” and their 2.25 lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK”.
Ensuring Safety from E. coli Contamination
Consumers are advised to check their fridges and freezers and dispose of any meat products linked to this (or any) E. coli alert.
![Two paper grocery bags filled with a variety of fresh produce including apples, bananas, a cabbage, and packaged bread on a wooden floor](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/05/16170a4a-untitled-design-36.jpg)
Source: Maria Lin Kim/Unsplash
Signs of contamination can be subtle, so it’s crucial to act swiftly to prevent any potential health issues from consuming the affected meat.
What Is E.coli?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most types of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea.”
![A sick man sitting on a bed with his head in his hand.](https://images.crowndaily.com/2024/05/70b2d731-screenshot-2024-05-07-at-18.58.27.jpeg)
Source: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
However, “a few strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.”
Dangers of E.coli?
Most people are exposed to the harmful effects of E. coli by eating raw vegetables or undercooked ground beef.
![An image of a man pictured seated on his couch as he blows his nose](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/03/95c9da36-screenshot-2024-03-31-112306.jpg)
Source: Freepik
Symptoms of E.coli include Diarrhea, which may range from mild and watery to severe and bloody, stomach cramping, pain or tenderness, and nausea and vomiting in some people.
PepsiCo’s Labeling Misstep
Following an internal investigation, PepsiCo has recalled over 200 cases of a popular zero-sugar beverage found to contain… well, sugar.
![An image of several Pepsi cans on a small black shelf](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/04/040c6ad8-img9.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia
In April, the soda company was forced to recall over 230 cases of its popular “zero-sugar” ginger ale because the beverage contained sugar.
Problems For Those With Dietary Restrictions and Health Concerns
This discovery could affect consumers with dietary restrictions, relying on accurate labeling to manage health conditions like diabetes.
![A person’s hand next to a blood sugar monitoring device insulin, and fruit.](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/02/ac52a5f1-untitled-design-65-min.png)
Ofek Abuhazira/Wikimedia Commons
Luckily, the mishap was corrected in time, as there were no reported injuries or illnesses, and the recall appears to have been a success.
The Significance of Accurate Product Information
Accurate labeling is critical, not just for consumer safety but also for maintaining trust between consumers and brands.
![A person holding a Pepsi can in their hands.](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/03/c381dc5d-img44.jpg)
Source: Martin Péchy/Unsplash
This incident with PepsiCo’s beverage highlights the broader implications of such errors in an industry where many rely on product labels for their dietary and health decisions.
Checking Your Pantry and Fridge
To manage these recalls effectively, consumers should regularly review and verify the safety of their food and drink products.
![A family of three, with a man, a woman, and a young girl, is shopping in a grocery store. The man is holding a bag of pasta, while the woman, who appears concerned, is brushing her hair back, and the young girl is looking at something in her hand](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/02/484b22f9-img15.jpg)
Source: Gustavo Fring/Pexels
Checking use-by dates, recall notices, and ensuring that all purchases are from safe batches are key steps in maintaining health and safety at home.
The Crucial Role of Regulatory Bodies
Agencies like the UK’s Food Standards Agency and the US Food and Safety Inspection Service are vital in handling food safety crises.
![A fully stocked grocery store aisle with food on two rows lining the aisle.](https://images.caredoctor.com/2024/03/5134f2aa-img52.jpg)
Source: Franki Chamaki/Unsplash
Their swift actions and clear communication help mitigate risks and provide guidelines for consumers to follow during recalls.
Staying Informed: The Best Defense
The recent string of recalls serve as a reminder of the importance of staying informed about the products we consume.
![A woman holds a can at a grocery store in the prepared foods section](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/04/2957eaac-screenshot-2024-04-10-105024.jpg)
Source: Freepik
By keeping up-to-date with recall alerts and understanding the potential health risks, consumers can protect themselves and their families more effectively.
Final Thoughts on Food Safety
These recalls emphasize the ongoing challenges in food safety and consumer protection.
![A man looks at bell peppers at a grocery store. A woman and a man can be seen in the background along with a variety of vegetables](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/03/38ffda84-img37.jpg)
Source: Mango Star Studio/Getty Images
By adhering to safety guidelines and staying vigilant about recall notices, consumers can navigate these issues more confidently, ensuring their well-being in the face of potential food-related risks.