Marks & Spencer salads and pesto recalled over salmonella fears
Hong Kong's food safety watchdog has urged the public not to eat two Marks & Spencer products, a vegan salad and a pistachio pesto, over possible salmonella contamination. The importer has halted sales and started a recall.
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has urged the public not to consume two Marks & Spencer products imported from the United Kingdom due to possible contamination with the pathogenic bacteria salmonella. The affected items were sold by importer ALF Retail Hong Kong Limited, which has been instructed to stop selling and remove the products from shelves, and has initiated a recall.
The first affected product is the "Vegan Nut & Quinoa Salad with Tahini Dressing", weighing 285 grams per pack. The best-before dates are 8, 9, 10 and 11 October 2026. The second is the "Pistachio & Parmesan Pesto", weighing 115 grams per pack, with best-before dates of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 October 2026.
The CFS said it learned of the issue through its food incident surveillance system, after the UK Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued notices about the possible salmonella contamination and a related recall. A preliminary investigation found that the importer had brought the affected products into Hong Kong and sold them.
Salmonella infection can cause symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, particularly in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. The CFS advised members of the public who have purchased the affected products to stop eating them immediately. Trade members holding the affected batches should also cease using or selling them.
The CFS said it will follow up on the recall and take appropriate action, and will continue to monitor the situation.