Morrisons urgently recalls popular meat product as it contains salmonella
MORRISONS has urgently recalled its own-brand chorizo after it was found to be contaminated with salmonella.
The bacteria can cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and a fever which can last up to a week.
In rare cases, it can infect the urine, blood, bones, joints and nervous system, and can result in reactive arthritis known as Reiter’s syndrome.
The supermarket issued a “do not eat” warning to anyone who has purchased its Spanish Chorizo Ring (200g) with a ‘best before‘ date of December 8, 2023.
Customers can return the product to their nearest store for a full refund, with or without a receipt.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “As a precautionary measure, we are recalling the above date code of this product as there is a risk it may contain salmonella.
“Please do not eat this product and return it to your nearest store for a full refund. We don’t need a receipt.
“No other products are affected by this issue.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and assure customers of our continuing commitment to the highest standard of product quality and safety.”
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: “Salmonella is present in the product listed above. Do not eat it.”
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning, sometimes called salmonellosis.
It can affect anyone, but young children, people over the age of 65 and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill, according to the FSA.
The most common symptoms are:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- General tiredness
These can last up to seven days, but a small number of people take weeks to fully recover, the NHS says.
Rare complications include blood poisoning, abscesses and joint pain.
Reactive arthritis can also occur, which can last for years and be difficult to treat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Patients with a salmonella infection should drink plenty of water and contact their GP if symptoms are severe or they persist.
The NHS adds: “In most cases, it is generally advised to wait until 48 hours after having diarrhoea or sickness before returning to work or school/nursery.”
Salmonella is not usually fatal.
The UK recorded 57 deaths due to the infection in 2017 and 2018, according to data compiled by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In 2019, there were 8,398 cases, down from 8,838 the year before.
How to avoid salmonella
HUMANS usually become infected with salmonella through contaminated water or food.
It is most commonly found in:
- Raw meat
- Undercooked poultry, like chicken or turkey
- Eggs
- Unpasteurised milk
But it can also spread by fruits, vegetables and shellfish when they become contaminated with animal and human faeces, as well as pets.
Thankfully, you can avoid most forms of food poisoning by following the four ‘C’s of food hygiene:
- Chilling
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Avoiding cross-contamination
It’s also important not to drink untreated water from lakes, rivers or streams.
You should also always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before preparing or eating food, after handling raw foods, after going to the toilet, after changing a baby’s nappy, after touching bins, and after contact with animals.
Source: Food Standards Agency