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Stores withdraw houmous products Stores withdraw houmous products
(about 11 hours later)
Five more supermarkets have removed houmous products from their shelves after traces of salmonella were found in two Marks and Spencer varieties.Five more supermarkets have removed houmous products from their shelves after traces of salmonella were found in two Marks and Spencer varieties.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op, Somerfield and Waitrose have all removed own-brand houmous made by Bakkavor, which also made the affected M&S products.Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op, Somerfield and Waitrose have all removed own-brand houmous made by Bakkavor, which also made the affected M&S products.
All Bakkavor-made own brand houmous and flavoured houmous products at the six chains have been recalled. All flavoured houmous products at the six chains also have been recalled as a precautionary measure, said the firm.
The products were removed as a precautionary measure, Bakkavor said. Experts are trying to find the source of the contamination.
The initial recall centred on two M&S brands - Piquillo Pepper Topped Houmous and Reduced Fat Houmous, both dated use by 15 February.The initial recall centred on two M&S brands - Piquillo Pepper Topped Houmous and Reduced Fat Houmous, both dated use by 15 February.
Salmonella can cause food poisoning and shouldn't be present in ready-to-eat food FSASalmonella can cause food poisoning and shouldn't be present in ready-to-eat food FSA
Marks and Spencer immediately withdrew the products from sale as well as all other unaffected houmous products "as an extreme precaution".Marks and Spencer immediately withdrew the products from sale as well as all other unaffected houmous products "as an extreme precaution".
A Food Standards Agency (FSA) spokeswoman said: "Salmonella can cause food poisoning and shouldn't be present in ready-to-eat food."A Food Standards Agency (FSA) spokeswoman said: "Salmonella can cause food poisoning and shouldn't be present in ready-to-eat food."
A statement on the Iceland-based Bakkavor's website said: "During routine testing, salmonella was discovered in two varieties of houmous manufactured in one of the group's factories. A spokeswoman for Iceland-based Bakkavor said the company was investigating, after the salmonella was found during routine testing. "This includes thorough testing and examination of our raw materials, the finished product, and our manufacturing processes.
"The cause is related to a raw material." "This work is being carried out in conjunction with a number of independent scientific laboratories," she said.
The company is urging customers to return products to stores for a full refund. The company is urging customers to return the houmous - a dip made with chick peas and ground sesame seeds - to stores for a full refund.
For more information, they can call the Bakkavor care line on 0800 023 2960.For more information, they can call the Bakkavor care line on 0800 023 2960.
The recalled products are:The recalled products are:
  • M&S own brand, flavoured and topped. All dates
  • Co-op own brand and flavoured. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Sainsbury's own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Somerfield own brand and flavoured. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Tesco own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Waitrose own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • M&S own brand, flavoured and topped. All dates
  • Co-op own brand and flavoured. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Sainsbury's own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Somerfield own brand and flavoured. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Tesco own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007
  • Waitrose own brand, flavoured and topped. Date codes up to 28 February 2007