Tesco is urgently recalling its Finest Mozzarella Pearls and Pesto Orzo Salad over fears it could be contaminated with potentially deadly bacteria. 

Food safety watchdogs have slapped a 'do not eat' warning on the packaged pasta salad and advised customers to return the product to any store for a full refund. No receipt is required.

It is feared the pasta salad may be contaminated with a rare strain of E. coli which can cause kidney failure and prove fatal.  

Affected batches include those with use by dates of August 25, 26 and 27, 2026.

Tesco has recalled the limited edition dish and has issued a recall notice to alert customers, asking customers not to eat the above product. 

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that eating the pasta salad could result in a bacterial infection known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). 

E. coli are bacteria that are found in the environment, food and the intestines of animals and people. 

Common symptoms of STEC include severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and eventually kidney failure.

It usually takes between two to four days from being infected with STEC to develop symptoms.

A small number of people, mainly children, with STEC infections go on to develop a serious and life-threatening condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

Common warning signs include less frequent urination, fatigue, swelling and bruising – with children under the age of five at the highest risk.

For more information on the recall, Tesco is asking customers to contact its customers services via its contact page on the website. 

No other Tesco products are affected by the recall and the retail giant has apologised for any inconvenience caused. 

It comes just days after four popular chicken wraps -stocked at Iceland and other convenience stores – were pulled from shop shelves, after it was discovered they could be contaminated with the bacteria.  

The series of recalls come following a 26 per cent rise in STEC infections in England, which was previously linked back to lettuce in pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps.

Last year, there was a major STEC outbreak linked to nursing homes in Belgium, resulting in ten deaths.

Investigators concluded that raw minced beef served to residents was the most plausible source of infection.

It is primarily spread through eating contaminated foods such as raw fruit and vegetables that have not been washed or stored correctly, or from undercooked meat.

It can also be spread by touching infected animals or their faeces, either directly or through contaminated water.

Anyone who experiences symptoms is advised to stay away from work, school or nursery until symptoms have resolved to avoid passing it on to others.

STEC infections are rarely fatal, with only a handful of deaths recorded each year in England despite thousands of cases being reported.

The FSA issues food recall notices when a product presents a risk to public health.

It comes as more than 200 Britons have been struck down with Salmonella food poisoning, in what health chiefs have declared a national outbreak.