Sainsbury's is urgently recalling its Taste the Difference Spanish Chorizo Iberico Ring due to the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes in some of the products. The contaminated items come in 200g pack sizes and have use-by dates ranging from 23 November 2023 to 16 January 2024.

Listeria infection symptoms can resemble the flu, including high temperature, muscle ache, chills, and diarrhoea. The infection poses an elevated risk to certain groups: people over 65, pregnant women, newborns under one month old, and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Sainsbury's action includes displaying point-of-sale notices in all retail stores carrying the product. These notices instruct customers on what steps to take if they have purchased the chorizo. "If you have bought any of the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund," states the notice. Consumers seeking additional information can contact Sainsbury's Careline at 0800 028 8303 or visit Sainsburys.co.uk/help.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) oversees such recalls and withdrawals, informing consumers and local authorities about associated food problems. In some instances, a 'Food Alert for Action' is released, detailing specific actions local authorities should take to protect consumers.