Urgent 'do not eat' warning issued as popular salad products recalled

Shoppers have been issued an urgent 'do not eat' warning about several different kinds of potato salad. Island Salads and Provenance have recalled packs of potato and bacon salad due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall, which affects shoppers in Northern Ireland, will be pinpointed with signs in all retail stores that stock the products. Anyone who has purchased them is being urged not to consume them. Instead, customers can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

A notice issued by the Food Standards Agency said: "Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications such as meningitis.

"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."

Pack size: 300g

Use-by date: September 25, 2025

These products are being recalled as a precautionary measure due to the possible presence of Listeria.

If you have purchased this product, do not eat it. Instead, return to your nearest store, where you will be issued a refund.

Pack size: 200g

Use-by date: September 14 and 15, 2025

These products also potentially carry the risk of Listeria, so don't eat them, and take them back to where you bought them instead. The companies have apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Although listeria is widespread in the environment and can contaminate a huge array of foods, it's more common in ready-to-eat foods, according to the FSA.

To reduce the risk of listeriosis, it's important to chill your food below 5C, as this will stop or significantly slow the growth of bacteria including Listeria.

It's also vital to refrigerate foods as soon as possible after you buy them, and eat ready-to-eat foods shortly after taking them from the fridge, within four hours or within two hours on warm days.