Urgent ‘do not eat’ warning for mayo sold at Lidl amid fears it may be contaminated with listeria

A batch of mayo has been urgently recalled over fears it may be contaminated with listeria.

Food safety watchdogs have issued a warning over the potential risk posed by the Potts’ Truffle Mayonnaise batch. 

The product is sold at budget supermarket Lidl.

Officials at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have told the public not to eat the mayo because of the potential health risk.

Pott’s Truffle Mayonnaise sold at budget supermarket Lidl is being recalled by its supplier Potts Partnership Ltd over fears it has been contaminated with listeria monocytogenes

Those who eat food containing listeria can develop an infection called listeriosis, which can cause a fever, aches and pains, chills, nausea, sickness and diarrhoea

Listeria is a bacteria that poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.

For most people listeria poisoning can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills and feeling or being sick.

Usually symptoms recede after a few days.

However, some vulnerable groups can develop life-threatening complications, such as sepsis and meningitis.

The truffle mayonnaise is sold in 230g glass jars.

Items being recalled carry the best before date of July 2024 with the batch code 18823.

Customers who have bought the product with this best before date are urged to return it to the nearest store.

They will be able to get a full refund. 

However, no other products from Potts Partnership Ltd are affected by this recall. 

Point of sale notices will be displayed in supermarkets where it is sold, including Lidl.

Listeria most commonly infects chilled, ready-to-eat foods such as pre-packed sandwiches, pate and soft cheeses.

According to the latest available data, a total of 124 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales in 2020. 

Meanwhile in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 1,600 people get listeriosis each year.