Lidl urgently recalls popular meat snack over fears it contains deadly bacteria
LIDL has urgently recalled a popular meaty snack after it was found to contain listeria.
The bacteria can cause serious infections, triggering fevers, aches, pains, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In rare cases, the illness can be even more severe and result in meningitis – inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
The supermarket‘s urgent safety alert relates to 530g packs of McEnnedy Corn Dogs, which are on sale across Britain and Ireland for around £5.
Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was discovered in both the battered sausages and the accompanying tomato-pepper dip.
Lidl and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a “do not eat” warning for products with the following ‘best before‘ dates:
- 28.04.2024
- 10.06.2024
- 10.08.2024
A spokesperson for the retail giant said: “Lidl GB is recalling the above-mentioned product due to the potential presence of listeria
monocytogenes, which can trigger severe gastrointestinal conditions and symptoms similar to the flu.
“If you have bought the above product, we advise you not to eat it.
“Customers are asked to return this product to the nearest store where a full refund will be given.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.”
Although much less common than salmonella or E. coli, listeria is the most lethal.
Most healthy immune systems can keep an infection at bay, but if the bug makes it into the bloodstream, it sparks listeriosis, which kills one in five patients worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
Some people are more vulnerable to infections, including those who are pregnant, over 65s, newborn babies and people with weakened immune systems.
They are at increased risk of getting seriously ill, miscarriage, stillbirth, sepsis and meningitis, the NHS says.
The FSA withdraws or recalls products when they are unsafe to be sold.
People can then get their money back at the point of purchase.
How to avoid listeriosis
WHILE you can’t help it if supermarket food you buy is found to contain listeria monocytogenes, there are some things you can do to avoid it at home. These include:
- Keeping chilled, ready-to-eat foods cold (in the fridge at 5C or below)
- Consume ready-to-eat foods within four hours of taking them out of the fridge
- Eat, cook or freeze foods by their ‘use by’ date
- Follow storage instructions on food labels and use opened food within two days (unless the packaging says otherwise)
- Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate
- Follow any cooking instructions on packaging, and cook or reheat (including frozen vegetables) until they’re steaming hot right through
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
You should also avoid certain foods completely if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. These include:
- Ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish products (e.g. smoked salmon or gravlax)
- Uncooked soft cheese (including brie and Camembert)
- Pâté
- Unpasteurised milk or dairy products
- Any under-cooked food
Source: NHS