If you've recently picked up a pack of Gilbert's Turkey Breast Pastrami, you might want to hold off on that sandwich. The Food Standards Agency has issued a recall after Listeria monocytogenes -- a particularly nasty bacterium -- was found in the product. Listeria is no joke: it can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women, elderly people, and anyone with a weakened immune system. So yeah, this one's worth paying attention to.
The recall covers Gilbert's Turkey Breast Pastrami in the 142g pack size. Specifically, look out for:
If you've got a pack sitting in your fridge that matches those details, do not eat it. Listeria monocytogenes can survive and even grow at refrigerator temperatures, which is part of what makes it such a persistent problem in ready-to-eat foods like deli meats.
First things first -- do not eat this product. If you've already opened it and used some, don't panic, but keep an eye out for symptoms like fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhoea. These can appear anywhere from a few days to several weeks after exposure.
Here's your action plan:
Pregnant women should be particularly cautious, as Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns.
Food recalls happen more often than most people realise, and staying on top of them is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your family. Bookmark this site, follow the FSA alerts, and check your cupboards and fridge whenever a new recall drops. A couple of minutes now could save you a very unpleasant few days later. Nobody wants the squirts -- or worse -- from something that was supposed to be a quick lunch.