Tesco and Iceland Food Recall Warning: Shoppers Told Not to Eat Affected Products

Shoppers across the UK are being urged to check food products in their homes following several urgent recall notices involving items sold through major supermarkets and food retailers.

Tesco and Iceland are among the retailers affected by the latest warnings. Customers who have purchased certain products are being advised not to eat them because of potential contamination with bacteria that could cause serious illness.

The warnings highlight why shoppers should regularly check product recall notices, particularly when buying chilled or ready-to-eat foods. Even products that appear normal and have been stored correctly should not be consumed if they match the details of an official recall.

Tesco issues warning over chilled salad

Tesco has recalled selected packs of its Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad, a 215g chilled product.

The recall concerns packs carrying best-before dates of August 25, August 26 and August 27, 2026. Although those dates have now passed, customers could still have the affected products stored in their refrigerators or freezers.

The reason for the recall is the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, also known as STEC.

Customers who have one of the affected packs should not eat it. Instead, they should follow the retailer's recall instructions and dispose of the product safely.

The Food Standards Agency has warned that STEC infections can cause symptoms including severe diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting and dehydration. In some cases, infection can develop into a much more serious condition known as haemolytic uraemic syndrome, or HUS.

HUS can affect the kidneys and can be particularly serious. This is why consumers are being told not to take a chance with recalled products.

Tesco has confirmed that the recall is limited to the specified date codes of the Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad and that other Tesco products are not affected by this particular recall.

Iceland customers told to dispose of affected wraps

Iceland shoppers are also being warned about certain chicken wraps linked to a wider recall.

The affected products include the Snacksters Chicken Fajita Wrap, which has been sold through Iceland. The wider recall also covers several other wraps sold under different names, including Snacksters Hoi Sin Wrap, East Street Deli Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap and Target a Snack Chicken Fajita Wrap.

The recall was issued because of the possible presence of STEC.

According to the information supplied in the recall notice, the affected products cover use-by dates up to and including September 5, 2026.

Customers who have bought an affected wrap are being instructed not to eat it. Iceland has specifically advised shoppers to dispose of the product immediately.

Consumers seeking a refund have also been advised to keep proof of purchase and provide details about when and where the item was bought.

The presence of E. coli cannot necessarily be identified simply by looking at a food product. A recalled item may look, smell and taste normal, which is why shoppers should rely on the product name, date information and official recall details rather than appearance alone.

What is STEC and why is it a concern?

STEC is a group of E. coli bacteria capable of producing Shiga toxins. Some infections can result in significant gastrointestinal illness.

Symptoms may include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and dehydration. In some cases, diarrhoea can be bloody.

Most importantly, people who believe they may have become unwell after consuming a potentially contaminated food product should seek appropriate medical advice, particularly if symptoms are severe or worsening.

Children and other vulnerable people can be at greater risk of complications from certain foodborne infections. Anyone experiencing significant symptoms should not ignore them.

People with diarrhoea or vomiting should also take care to avoid spreading illness to others. Good hand hygiene is important, and anyone who is unwell should follow relevant public health advice about staying away from work, school or childcare.

Another recall affects a popular skincare product

The latest warnings are not limited to food.

The information provided also highlights a recall involving Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water.

Several sizes of the product have been affected, including 200ml, 400ml and 730ml bottles. The issue concerns a potential microbiological risk, with affected products potentially causing eye inflammation.

Customers who have one of the affected products have been told to stop using it immediately.

The affected batch codes include:

200ml: 610041, 611641 and 615941

400ml: 611141, 611341, 611441, 613341, 613441, 614541, 614741 and 614841

730ml: 613841, 613941, 611041, 616641 and 616741

Consumers can check the batch information on the bottom of the bottle and should compare it carefully with the recall details before continuing to use the product.

What should shoppers do if they have a recalled product?

If you discover that something in your home matches an official recall, the safest approach is to follow the instructions issued by the manufacturer, retailer or Food Standards Agency.

For recalled food, do not taste the product to see whether it is safe. Do not assume that cooking, reheating or freezing will necessarily make a recalled product safe unless official guidance specifically says so.

Instead, keep the item separate from other food and follow the stated disposal or return instructions.

If you have already eaten an affected product, pay attention to how you feel and seek medical advice if you develop concerning symptoms.

It is also sensible to clean any surfaces, utensils or containers that may have come into contact with contaminated food, particularly when dealing with products suspected of carrying harmful bacteria.

Why checking food recalls matters

Product recalls can happen for many different reasons. They may involve bacterial contamination, undeclared allergens, incorrect labelling, foreign objects or other safety concerns.

A recall does not necessarily mean that everyone who bought a product will become ill. It means that a potential safety problem has been identified and that consumers should take the recommended precautions.

For shoppers, one of the most important steps is checking the exact product information. Brand names alone are not always enough because a recall may apply only to particular sizes, batches or date codes.

The Tesco warning, for example, concerns specific dates for a particular 215g salad rather than every product sold under the Tesco Finest range.

Similarly, the Iceland warning relates to particular recalled wraps rather than all chicken products available from the supermarket.

Final advice for consumers

Anyone who has recently purchased chilled salads, wraps or other recalled products should check their cupboards, fridge and freezer before eating them.

If the product matches an official recall notice, do not consume it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for disposal, refunds or returns.

Consumers should also remember that foodborne bacteria cannot always be detected through sight or smell. When an official safety warning has been issued, it is better to follow the recall advice than to take an unnecessary risk.

The latest warnings involving Tesco and Iceland underline the importance of paying attention to product recalls and checking date codes carefully.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information and awareness purposes only. Product recall details, affected batches and safety instructions can change, so readers should check the latest information from the UK Food Standards Agency, the relevant retailer or the product manufacturer before making decisions about a recalled product. This article is not medical advice. Anyone who is seriously unwell or concerned about symptoms after consuming a potentially contaminated product should seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.