Sainsbury’s flaked almonds withdrawn in salmonella scare

Supermarket pulls product off shelves as may contain poison bacteria

Sainsbury’s has been forced to recall its flaked almonds over fears they may contain the salmonella bacteria.
The company has issued a “do not eat” order on its own-brand 200g flaked almonds.
The supermarket asked anyone who had purchased the product to return it if it has a batch number of 4044 or 4045 and a best before date of February 2025, for a full refund.
Salmonella poisoning can lead to serious illness including diarrhoea, vomiting and a fever, with symptoms lasting up to a week.
It is usually associated with eating undercooked meat, chicken, eggs or unpasteurised milk, but can occur in a range of other foods, including those that have been processed.
While most people can treat themselves at home for food poisoning, symptoms can be severe and lead to hospital admission, especially in the very young and those with weakened immune systems.
The NHS also warns that those affected must avoid dehydration, which can occur due to the loss of fluids and electrolytes, which can in itself become serious.
The Foods Standards Agency (FSA) warned customers not to eat the almond product and return it to the supermarket because “salmonella has been found in the product”.
A spokesman for the FSA said: “Point of sale notices will be displayed in stores where the product was sold. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.”
Flaked almonds are typically used as an ingredient in cakes, curries or as a garnish for meals.
In 2022, a salmonella outbreak was traced back to Kinder Surprise eggs.
A reported 57 people were infected by the bacteria, with four in five of those affected children under the age of five.
Ferrero, the manufacturer, was forced to recall the product from its stores across Europe, as cases were also identified in Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. The product was made in Belgium.
It is not currently known how many people and items are affected by the recall and if anyone has suffered salmonella poisoning from the product.
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “As a precautionary measure, Sainsbury’s are recalling the By Sainsbury’s Flaked Almonds 200g, as they may contain salmonella, that may cause illness if consumed. If you have bought one of the affected batches of this product, we advise you not to consume it.
“Point of sale notices will be displayed in stores where the product was sold.”