Sainsbury's Recalls Two Hummus Products Over Deadly E.Coli Risk

Sainsbury's has issued an urgent recall of two of its own-brand hummus products, JS Classic Houmous (315g) and JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous (200g), due to contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a potentially deadly bacterial infection. The affected batches have use-by dates of September 13 and 14, 2025, respectively, and customers are advised not to consume the products but to return them for a full refund. STEC infection can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhoea, and in severe cases, haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure and be fatal, particularly in children. The Food Standards Agency and UK Health Security Agency highlighted that infections can last up to two weeks and that children aged 1 to 4 are the most vulnerable group. Sainsbury's has apologized for the inconvenience and has placed in-store notices to alert shoppers. The recall comes amid a rise in E. coli infections in England, with concerns also previously raised about contamination in the River Thames.