Sainsbury’s has issued a recall for two varieties of its own-brand houmous due to potential health risks associated with consuming them. Certain houmous dips may contain a strain of E.coli, prompting the precautionary measure.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) notified the supermarket about the issue on Friday night. The affected products, including JS Classic Houmous and JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous, are being removed from shelves as a safety measure.
Sainsbury’s is recalling these houmous products as they may contain Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC). The FSA spokesperson stated that consuming these products could lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, and potentially severe conditions like haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure and be life-threatening.
Customers who purchased houmous with use-by dates of September 13, 2025, for Classic and September 14, 2025, for Lemon & Coriander are advised to check the batch codes on the packaging (8001352 for Classic, 8062998 for Lemon & Coriander) for recall matching. Affected products can be returned to Sainsbury’s stores for a full refund, and no receipt is required for the refund process.
Sainsbury’s stores selling the recalled houmous will display point of sale notices until October 3, 2025, to inform customers about the issue. The UK Health Security Agency warns that individuals infected with STEC may experience symptoms lasting up to two weeks, with a risk of developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in severe cases, leading to kidney failure.
It is crucial for individuals experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly. Additionally, avoiding dehydration by consuming fluids is essential, and antibiotics are not recommended for treating STEC infections as they may increase the risk of complications.