Sainsbury’s has issued a recall for two types of their own-label houmous due to the potential risk of causing illness. The concern is the possible presence of a specific strain of E.coli in certain houmous dips.
The Food Standards Agency alerted the supermarket about this issue on the evening of September 12. As a precautionary measure, Sainsbury’s has removed its own-brand houmous products from the shelves.
The Food Standards Agency issues recalls for various reasons, such as undisclosed allergens or the presence of foreign materials like plastic in products. When a product is recalled, detailed instructions are provided on how consumers who purchased the item should proceed.
Specifically, Sainsbury’s had to recall its JS Classic Houmous and JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous products due to the potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC).
According to a statement from the Food Standards Agency, individuals who consume these affected products may experience symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and in severe cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that can lead to kidney failure and be life-threatening.
Consumers are advised to check the use-by dates of the affected products, with batch codes 8001352 for Classic and 8062998 for Lemon & Coriander houmous. These products can be returned to Sainsbury’s stores for a full refund, and customers do not need a receipt for the refund.
Sainsbury’s will display point-of-sale notices in all its stores where these products were sold, with the notices remaining up until October 3, 2025.
Individuals infected with STEC may experience a combination of symptoms, which can last up to two weeks. Severe cases could lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition causing kidney failure.
There is no specific treatment for STEC infection, and the illness typically resolves on its own within a week. It is recommended to stay hydrated and avoid antibiotics, as they could potentially exacerbate complications like HUS.