An urgent product recall was issued by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s after fears its houmous may contain the bacteria E.coli. The recall affects tubs of its JS Classic Houmous with a use-by date of September 13 and packets of JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous dated September 14.

The Food Standards Agency said the affected batches of houmous could contain shiga toxin-producing E.coli (Stec). Sainsbury’s apologised to customers for any inconvenience and advised them not to eat the affected products if they had been bought. The supermarket chain added these products were being recalled as a precautionary step. The company urged consumers not to eat the affected items.

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a diverse group of bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. While many strains are harmless, certain strains are pathogenic and can cause severe illness.

The best way to prevent an E. coli infection is to practice good hygiene, including regular and thorough hand washing, especially after using the toilet, handling animals, or preparing food. Food safety is also crucial and involves properly cooking meat, pasteurising milk and juice, and washing raw fruits and vegetables.

Symptoms from the E.coli organism include diarrhoea, which can be bloody, abdominal pain and the potentially life-threatening haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.

You should see a doctor if you have persistent or bloody diarrhoea, a high fever, signs of severe dehydration, or any signs of kidney problems, such as reduced urination.

Some strains of the bacteria, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can cause severe foodborne disease. It is transmitted to humans primarily through consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, and contaminated raw vegetables and sprouts.

Customers who bought the affected houmous are eligible for a refund by returning them in-store.