The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent 'do not eat' warning for a popular deli meat product sold across major UK supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, and Ocado. This recall follows the detection of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in Gilbert's Turkey Breast Pastrami, raising significant health concerns due to the potential for serious infection.

Specifically, the recall applies to 142g packs of Gilbert's Turkey Breast Pastrami bearing product codes CK016 and CK027, with a use-by date of April 9, 2026. Consumers who have purchased this product are strongly advised against consuming it and should return it to the point of purchase for a full refund. Supermarkets are expected to display notices to inform customers about the recall and the necessary actions to take, underscoring growing concerns regarding the safety of everyday food products, particularly pre-packed and ready-to-eat items.

Listeria monocytogenes is the bacterium responsible for listeriosis, a rare but potentially life-threatening infection. While symptoms can be mild for some individuals, the illness poses a severe risk to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, older people, and those with compromised immune systems. Initial symptoms typically involve a high temperature, muscle aches, chills, and sickness. However, in more severe invasive cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, causing sepsis, or to the brain, leading to meningitis, which can be fatal. Experts warn that invasive cases may also manifest with fever, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, and loss of balance. Unlike common foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, listeria has a longer incubation period and can cause more severe complications, particularly in at-risk groups.

A critical concern with Listeria is its ability to survive and even multiply under refrigerated conditions, making ready-to-eat foods like sliced deli meats particularly high-risk vehicles for infection. Listeriosis is commonly contracted through the consumption of contaminated foods such as deli meats, unpasteurised dairy products, and raw produce.

Recent data from UK health officials highlight the seriousness of listeriosis. In 2024, England and Wales reported 179 cases of listeriosis, with the highest incidence rates observed in individuals aged 80 and over. Pregnancy-related infections constituted approximately one-fifth of these cases, with known outcomes showing that 43.7 percent resulted in stillbirth or miscarriage. Among non-pregnancy cases, 28 deaths were reported, accounting for nearly one in five, with listeriosis explicitly recorded as a cause of death in several instances.

Health officials investigated seven outbreaks in England and Wales during 2024, which were linked to various food items, including smoked fish, chocolate and strawberry mousse, garlic sausage, and pre-packed sandwiches. London recorded the highest number of listeriosis cases in 2024, with 35 cases and an incidence rate of 0.39 per 100,000 people. Anyone who has consumed the affected product and experiences symptoms or feels unwell is urged to seek immediate medical advice.