Pret removes chicken items from stores amid salmonella risk

Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Aldi have also recalled some products containing chicken

The drinks subscription costs customers £20 per month (Nick Ansell/PA) (PA Wire)

Pret A Manger has joined a raft of high street cafes and supermarkets that have recalled or removed products containing chicken from its shelves due to a salmonella risk.

The sandwich franchise joins Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Aldi in taking the “precautionary measure”. Aldi was the first to recall four chicken products on Tuesday due to the “possible presence of salmonella”.

A spokesperson for Pret said in a statement: “As a precautionary measure, we’ve temporarily removed the majority of chicken items on our menu due to a potential food safety risk at one of our suppliers.

“We hope to have these products back in shops soon. We apologise for any inconvenience.”

Aldi was the first supermarket to recall four products from its Eat+Go range that contain chicken, all with use-by dates of 11 and 12 May.

Waitrose has also recalled 10 products from its chicken sandwich and wrap ranges that have a use-by date up to and including 14 May.

The retailer warned customers not to consume the items and to return them to the store for a full refund. The products that have recalled include the Waitrose Roast Chicken Salad with Salad Cream Sandwich, Roast Chicken and Stuffing Sandwich, Essential Chicken Mayo Sandwich, and Waitrose Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap.

M&S’ “precautionary recall” includes 12 chicken products, including sandwiches, wraps, salads and sandwich fillers.

“We are advising customers not to consume this product. Any customers in possession of this product can return it to their nearest store where a full refund will be given. Only listed products are affected,” it said.

Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s has issued a recall of more than 30 chicken products, including sandwiches, wraps, as well as cooked chicken slices and fillets.

The supermarket said in a statement on its website: “Sainsbury’s has taken the precautionary measure of recalling the above products as they may contain salmonella.

“No other products have been affected by this issue,” it added.

Sainsbury’s customers can return the affected products to their nearest stores to get a full refund.

Tesco has also joined the supermarkets in recalling 14 items, including chicken breast slices, coronation chicken pieces and flame-grilled chicken thins with use-by dates up to and including 18, 19 and 20 May.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

The recall of numerous chicken products comes after Ferrero was forced to recall a number of Kinder products, including Kinder Surprise Eggs, over the Easter period due to salmonella outbreaks across Europe.

The widespread chicken recall comes after salmonella was detected during a “routine internal inspection” at the Cranswick processing plant in Hull.

The company said: “Cranswick can confirm that a routine internal inspection has identified the presence of salmonella in a limited number of cooked chicken products prepared at our poultry facility in Hull.

“These products are sold as ingredients for sandwiches and meals through UK retailers and food-to-go outlets. As a precautionary measure, we have asked our customers to remove any of their products containing our ready-to-eat chicken produced during the affected period.

“We are working closely with the Food Standards Agency and will collaborate with their experts to resolve the matter. We are conducting a thorough investigation into the possible cause of the contamination and the site will remain closed until the investigations are complete.

“The safety and quality of every product produced by Cranswick is our number one priority and all necessary protocols will be followed and completed before we restart production.”