Pasta salads sold at Asda and Morrisons recalled over listeria fears

A number of supermarket pasta products have been recalled due to a possible listeria contamination.

Food producer Greencore has recalled three pasta products because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the Food Standards Agency said.

They are Asda cheese and tomato pasta salad; Asda nacho cheese pasta salad; and Morrisons chicken and bacon pasta.

Anyone who has bought the products is advised not to eat them. Instead, customers are advised to return them to their nearest store where they will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt.

The recall notice says: “Greencore is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

“These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.”

Listeriosis symptoms

The NHS says that listeriosis is a rare infection, which is caused by bacteria called listeria. It usually goes away on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill.

Listeriosis is usually caused by eating food contaminated with listeria bacteria.

Listeria can contaminate a wide range of foods, but most infections are caused by eating chilled, ready-to-eat foods, such as:

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, the Food Standards Agency said.

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.