Sainsbury recalls chorizo product over risk of Listeria contamination

Taste the Difference chorizo has been recalled over fears it could be contaminated by poisonous bacteria

Listeria bacteria have been found in some packets of Sainsbury’s chorizo, leading to a product recall.

The Food Standards Agency confirmed Listeria monocytogenes had been found in packages of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Spanish Chorizo Iberico Ring and advised customers not to eat it but to return it to the store for a full £3.25 refund.

Symptoms caused by the organism are said to be similar to flu and can include high temperature, muscle aches and pains, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhea. The FSA warned that infection can be more severe in rare cases and cause serious complications including meningitis.

Those more vulnerable to listeria infections include those aged over 65, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies younger than one month and people with weakened immune systems.

Listeria infections can be severe and even deadly for vulnerable people including those over 65 (Science Photo Library)

An FSA fact sheet said listeria is found in a range of chilled ready-to-eat foods such as prefaced sandwiches, butter, cooked sliced meats and smoked salmon, and can cause severe or life-threatening foodborne illness.

All dates for the 200g packet of chorizo from the 23 November 2023 up to and including 16 January 2024 are affected.

A statement by Sainsbury’s read: “Sainsbury’s is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.”

Sainsbury’s apologised for any inconvenience caused and advised customers to visit their website or ring their careline with any queries.