Food recall: M&S recalls dates over possible Hepatitis contamination

Marks and Spencer's Stuffed Medjool Date Selection packs are being recalled as they might be contaminated with Hepatitis A.

This follows an April 2021 recall of Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Medjool Dates because of the same concerns.

Read on for a full list of recalled products, and what to do if you've bought them.

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What M&S dates are affected by this recall?

This recall covers:

• M&S Stuffed Medjool Date Selection
• Pack size: 350g
• Best before: 13 July 2021
• Barcode number: 29058648

No other M&S products are affected.

Sainsbury's also recalled a batch of its Taste the Difference Medjool dates in April 2021, due to fears of a Hepatitis A contamination:

• Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Medjool dates
• Pack sizes: 200g & 500g
• Best before: all dates
• Supplier code: K0014 EW.

What to do if you've bought these products

If you have bought any of these products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store you bought them from for a full refund. This still applies to Sainsbury's dates that have the specific supply code stated above.

For more information, you can contact M&S on its customer care line: 03330 148555.

Sainsbury's customers can visit Sainsburys.co.uk/help or call 0800 636262.

See our round-up of the best and worst supermarkets.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus that's spread in the poo of an infected person.

It's uncommon in the UK, being more widespread in parts of the world where standards of sanitation and food hygiene are generally poor.

Signs of a hepatitis A infection usually include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Dark-coloured urine and pale poo

It can be unpleasant but isn't usually serious, with most people making a full recovery within a couple of months.

However, it can on occasion last for many months and, in very rare cases, be life threatening if it causes the liver to stop working.

How is Hepatitis A transmitted?

The NHS lists the causes of transmission as:

• Eating food prepared by someone with the infection who hasn't washed their hands properly.
• Drinking contaminated water or eating raw shellfish from contaminated water.
• Less commonly, having sex with someone with hepatitis A or injecting drugs with contaminated equipment.

What are my rights if there's a food recall?

If you've bought a product that's been recalled, you have the right to a refund thanks to the Consumer Rights Act.

The retailer that sold it should offer you a full refund, even if it's been in your store-cupboard or freezer for several months.

If you've already consumed or thrown away the product, you can still get a refund if you're able to show proof of purchase such as a till receipt, bank statement, or online order confirmation.

See whether you're affected by any otherproductrecalls.