Health foods retailer Grape Tree is recalling a batch of its ‘Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts 250g’ SKU because Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) has been found in the product.
Any pack with the batch code ‘G41 5 101 250610’ and a best before date of 11 July 2026 has been contaminated and is unsafe to eat.
The batch code and best before date can be found of the front of the packaging, just above the barcode.
Symptoms caused by STEC organisms include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.
According to data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) this month, more than 2,000 cases of STEC were reported in England in 2022, an increase of nearly 80% when compared with 2021.
As a result of the issue, point of sale notices will be displayed in all stores where the product is sold, explaining why the recall was announced.
Anyone that has purchased a product from the impacted back should return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund, with or without a receipt. They can also contact Grape Tree directly for more information.
Grape Tree operates more than 160 stores in England, Scotland and Wales, which specialise in the sale of products including nuts, seeds, fruit and snack bars.
In related news, a new software tool designed to reduce the financial and reputational costs of food and drink recalls has been launched by Marketpoint Recall.
Dubbed Ready Recall, the software combines all of the components of an effective recall response into one integrated system, including CRM and loyalty programme alignment, employee training, cross-border regulatory coordination and pre-approved communication templates.
The launch comes after data from the Food Standards Agency found that the number of recalls announced during 2024 was up 18% year-on-year.
