Supermarket SPAR has recalled five batches of popular chicken products after a deadly bacteria that can cause meningitis was discovered in the cooked meat.
SPAR's cooked chicken fillets have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes severe food poisoning.
Consumers are warned not to eat these products and to return them to the store where they purchased them for a full refund.
In an initial warning issued a few days ago, SPAR said three batches of chicken products were at risk. But in a new update today, the supermarket added two more batches to the list of products being recalled.
It is now said that the bacteria has been detected in additional clusters of:
SPAR Enjoy Local Cooked Chicken Pieces 150g
SPAR Enjoy Local Cooked Chicken Slices 150g
SPAR Enjoy Local Cooked Chicken Fillets 300g
The products at risk have batch code 5126 or 5128. The expiration date is May 21, 2025 or May 23, 2025.
Stores selling these products are said to have put up posters to warn consumers about the contamination.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, which usually presents with mild symptoms such as high fever, body aches, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea.
But people at high risk – such as infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems – can face life-threatening conditions, such as sepsis or meningitis.
There is also a risk of miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women who become infected with listeriosis.
For most people, mild listeriosis improves within a few days and can be treated at home, but high-risk patients may need antibiotics and should consult a doctor immediately.
The warning comes just days after monitoring programs in England and Wales showed that listeria cases have reached their highest level in eight years.
Data shows that in 2024, 179 laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis were reported, including 28 deaths.
This means that cases are almost a fifth higher compared to the level before the Covid pandemic.
Pre-packaged sandwiches, smoked fish, garlic sausages and cold cuts were blamed for seven outbreaks last year, according to the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA).
In May of last year, two adults died from this bacteria in an outbreak that was linked to contaminated sandwiches, filled breads and tortillas.
Earlier this year, officials revealed that three people died in 2024 after a listeria outbreak linked to chocolate and strawberry cakes that were supplied to NHS hospitals.
According to new UKHSA data, around a fifth of all infections in 2024 (37 cases) were pregnancy-related – more than 40 per cent ended in miscarriages or stillbirths.
London recorded the highest number of listeriosis cases last year with 35 cases, with an incidence of 0.39 per 100,000 inhabitants.
This was followed by the regions of South East England (30 cases), Wales (10 cases) and the West Midlands (18 cases).
In comparison, the East of England recorded the lowest number – 15 cases, with a rate of 0.23 per 100,000 residents.
Pre-packaged sandwiches and chocolate and strawberry mousses were found to be responsible for 10 cases in total, according to the UKHSA.
Last year, food safety authorities recalled more than 25 types of sandwiches, filled breads and tortillas made by the Bread Spread company due to a listeria outbreak, warning that the products were not manufactured in accordance with food law.
Two people with pre-existing illnesses also died from this outbreak, health officials said.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said:
"SPAR is recalling certain chicken products after Listeria monocytogenes was found in them. If you have purchased any of these products, do not consume them. Instead, return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund."
"Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to the flu and include high fever, muscle aches, chills, nausea, and diarrhea."
"However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications such as meningitis. Some people are more susceptible to listeria infections, including those over 65, pregnant women and their babies, infants under one month old, and people with weakened immune systems." /Express newspaper/
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