Tesco issues urgent recall for pre-packed fruit punnet due to contamination with salmonella: ‘Do NOT eat’
Tesco is urgently recalling its Grape & Berry Medley over fears they may be contaminated with salmonella, a potentially deadly food poisoning bug.
Food safety watchdogs have slapped a ‘do not eat’ warning on the pre-packed fruit punnet, and advised customers to return the produce to any store for a full refund. No receipt is required.
Affected batches include those with a use by date of 16 and 17 February 2026, weighing 230g.
As such, contaminated produce may have already been consumed by unsuspecting shoppers before the warning was issued last night.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause vomiting, severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea and fever within hours of eating contaminated food.
Most people recover without medical treatment, but the infection can be serious and even fatal, particularly in young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
Food safety officials at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: ‘If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them.
”Instead, return them to any Tesco store for a full refund.’
Tesco is urgently recalling its Grape & Berry Medley over fears it may be contaminated with salmonella
The FSA advises anyone experiencing symptoms to stay away from work, school or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours, to prevent passing the infection to others.
The fruit punnets are part of Tesco’s own brand range and are sold nationwide.
Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the UK. The bacteria are found in the gut of humans and animals, and infection typically occurs when food or drink that has been contaminated with faecal matter is consumed.
The most frequently implicated foods include raw poultry and eggs, unpasturised dairy products and ready-to-eat salads.
It comes as UKHSA data released last year found salmonella cases surged in the first three months of 2025, with figures up on the previous two years.
Outbreaks linked to supermarket food products are rare but not unheard of.
In June 2022, hundreds of chicken products sold by Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and other UK supermarkets were pulled from shelves due to salmonella contamination.
Last year, more than 60 sandwiches, wraps and salads sold in 11 major shops in the UK were slapped with ‘do not eat’ alerts over fears they could contain STEC – another bacteria that can trigger life-threatening infections.
Salmonella bacteria can survive on surfaces and multiply rapidly if food is stored incorrectly or handled without proper hygiene.
Heat can help kill any lurking bacteria, but the risk remains with ready-to-eat chilled foods,
In the UK, around 33 people die each year from foodborne Salmonella, according to a study published in BMJ Open Gastroenterology.
The FSA issues food recall notices when a product presents a risk to public health.
More information on the latest recall can be obtained by writing directly to Tesco, at tesco.com/help/contact.
