Sainsbury’s has issued a recall for two of its own-brand houmous products due to potential health risks associated with consuming them. The concern is that these specific dips may harbor a strain of E.coli.
The Food Standards Agency alerted the supermarket about this issue on the evening of September 12. As a precautionary measure, Sainsbury’s has decided to remove its own-branded JS Classic Houmous and JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous from the shelves.
Recalls by the Food Standards Agency can occur for various reasons, including undisclosed allergens in products or the presence of foreign materials like plastic. When a recall is initiated, the FSA provides guidance on what actions consumers should take if they have purchased the affected item and offers detailed explanations for the recall.
In this instance, Sainsbury’s is recalling these houmous products because there is a possibility that they could contain Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC).
According to a statement from the FSA, contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and potentially severe conditions like haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure and even be fatal.
The affected houmous products have use-by dates of September 13, 2025, for the Classic variant, and September 14, 2025, for the Lemon & Coriander variant. Consumers can verify if their houmous is from the affected batches by checking the batch codes on the packaging (8001352 for Classic, 8062998 for Lemon & Coriander).
Customers who have purchased the recalled houmous can return it to Sainsbury’s stores for a full refund, and proof of purchase is not required for refunds. Sainsbury’s will display point of sale notices in all its stores selling these products until October 3, 2025.
The UK Health Security Agency notes that individuals infected with STEC may experience a combination of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. While symptoms typically resolve within two weeks in uncomplicated cases, there is a risk of developing haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure.
There is no specific treatment for STEC infection, as the illness tends to resolve on its own within a week. It is advisable to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration due to diarrhea, and the use of antibiotics is not recommended as it may increase the chances of complications like HUS.