Asda and Morrisons Pasta Salads Recalled Over Listeria Contamination Risk

Several ready-to-eat pasta products sold by Asda and Morrisons have been recalled because of a potential contamination risk involving Listeria monocytogenes. Customers who have purchased the affected products are being advised not to eat them and to return them to the store for a full refund.

The recall was announced after food producer Greencore identified a possible food safety issue. The products affected include two pasta salads sold by Asda and a chicken and bacon pasta product sold by Morrisons.

The warning is particularly important for people who may be more vulnerable to serious illness from listeria, including older adults, pregnant women, newborn babies and people with weakened immune systems.

Which Asda and Morrisons products are affected?

According to the recall information provided by the Food Standards Agency, three products are included in the warning.

The affected products are:

• Asda Cheese & Tomato Pasta Salad, 300g, product code 5063089221990, use-by date 10 August 2026
• Asda Nacho Cheese Pasta Salad, 500g, product code 5063717198311, use-by date 9 August 2026
• Morrisons Chicken and Bacon Pasta, 300g, product code 5010251790587, use-by date 7 August 2026

Consumers should check the product name, pack size, product code and use-by date carefully. If a product matches the details in the recall notice, customers should not eat it.

Instead, the affected product should be returned to the store where it was purchased. Customers are entitled to a full refund, and the recall information states that a receipt is not required.

Why have the pasta products been recalled?

The products have been recalled because of a possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for listeriosis.

Listeria can contaminate food and, in some circumstances, cause illness after a person consumes contaminated products. While listeriosis is considered uncommon, it can become a serious infection, particularly among certain groups of people.

The Food Standards Agency advises consumers not to eat food covered by an official recall. Product recalls are issued as a precautionary food safety measure when there is a potential risk to consumers.

Retailers selling the affected products are also expected to display notices explaining the recall and advising customers what action to take.

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is generally associated with contaminated food and can affect people in different ways.

For many healthy people, listeriosis may cause relatively mild symptoms or no noticeable symptoms at all. However, the infection can be considerably more serious in vulnerable individuals.

According to NHS guidance, possible symptoms can include a high temperature, muscle aches or pain, chills, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Some people may initially mistake these symptoms for flu or another common infection.

In rare cases, listeriosis can develop into a serious illness. Complications can include meningitis and other severe infections.

Because symptoms can vary from person to person, anyone who feels unwell after eating a recalled product should consider seeking appropriate medical advice, particularly if they belong to a higher-risk group.

Who is most vulnerable to listeria?

Although anyone can potentially become infected with listeria, certain people have a greater risk of developing serious complications.

These groups include:

• People aged 65 and over
• Pregnant women and their unborn babies
• Babies under one month old
• People with weakened immune systems

Pregnancy is an especially important consideration because listeriosis can affect both the mother and unborn baby. Anyone who is pregnant and concerned about possible exposure to a recalled food should seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.

Older adults and people with compromised immune systems should also take food recalls seriously because they may be more likely to develop severe complications.

What should you do if you bought a recalled pasta salad?

If you have one of the affected products at home, the safest action is simple: do not eat it.

Check the packaging against the product details in the recall notice. Pay particular attention to the use-by date and product code, as similar products may not necessarily be included in the recall.

If your product matches the recall information, return it to the relevant supermarket for a refund. According to the recall notice, customers do not need to provide a receipt.

If you have already eaten an affected product, there is no need to assume that you will become ill. Listeriosis is rare, and exposure does not automatically mean infection will occur. However, anyone who develops symptoms or has concerns should seek medical advice.

People in higher-risk groups should be particularly attentive to symptoms following possible exposure.

Why are chilled ready-to-eat foods monitored closely?

Listeria can contaminate a wide variety of foods. The NHS notes that infections are commonly associated with chilled, ready-to-eat products.

Examples can include cold cooked meats, cured meats, smoked or cured fish, cooked shellfish, certain soft and blue cheeses, pâté, prepared sandwiches and salads, pre-cut fruit and products made using unpasteurised milk.

One reason food safety authorities pay close attention to these products is that some ready-to-eat foods may be stored in refrigerators for extended periods before being consumed. Following storage instructions and respecting use-by dates are therefore important parts of food safety.

Consumers should always follow the storage and preparation instructions printed on food packaging.

What does the recall mean for Asda and Morrisons customers?

The recall does not mean that all pasta salads or chilled products sold by Asda and Morrisons are unsafe. It specifically concerns the products and identifying details listed in the recall notice.

Customers should therefore avoid making assumptions based solely on the brand or product category. Instead, they should check the exact product name, pack size, product code and use-by date.

If the details match those included in the recall, the product should not be consumed.

Food recalls are an important part of the UK's food safety system. They allow potentially affected products to be removed from sale and enable consumers who have already purchased them to take appropriate action.

Key takeaway for shoppers

The important message for anyone who has recently purchased one of the affected pasta products is to check the packaging before eating it.

The recalled items are the Asda Cheese & Tomato Pasta Salad, Asda Nacho Cheese Pasta Salad and Morrisons Chicken and Bacon Pasta with the specific product codes and use-by dates listed above.

If you have a matching product, do not eat it. Return it to the appropriate supermarket for a refund, even if you no longer have your receipt.

Anyone who develops symptoms associated with listeriosis should seek medical advice. People who are pregnant, elderly, very young or immunocompromised should take particular care because listeria infection can be more serious in these groups.

Source

This article is based on the food recall information reported by The Independent, with health information attributed to the UK Food Standards Agency and NHS guidance.