'Do not eat' warning as Tesco recalls cured beef over deadly listeria fears

Tesco shoppers have been warned not to eat a popular cured beef product after the potentially fatal bacterium listeria was detected in it, prompting an urgent recall. The alert concerns 60g packs of The Curing Barn British Bresaola, an air-dried, salted beef aged for two to three months, sold at the chain for around £4.50.

Customers have been told to check for the use-by date of 10 June 2026 and the product code printed on the packaging, and to return any affected packs to the store where they were bought for a full refund. Anyone who has the product at home has been told in the starkest terms not to consume it under any circumstances.

The recall is one of several food safety alerts issued across the major retailers this month, in what has been a notably busy period for the Food Standards Agency and the chains' own product-recall teams.

Why listeria is so dangerous

Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium found in the affected packs, can cause an illness called listeriosis. In otherwise healthy adults the symptoms are often mild and flu-like, including a high temperature, muscle aches, chills, nausea and diarrhoea, and may pass without the need for treatment.

In vulnerable groups, however, the infection can be far more serious, occasionally leading to complications such as meningitis or blood poisoning that can prove fatal. Unlike many bacteria, listeria can continue to grow at the cold temperatures of a domestic fridge, which is part of what makes it such a persistent hazard in chilled, ready-to-eat foods.

“We are asking anyone who has bought this product not to eat it. Listeria can be extremely dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a weakened immune system, and the safest course of action is to return it for a refund.”

Who is most at risk

Health officials single out several groups as being at heightened risk from listeria infection and advise them to be especially careful. Pregnant women face particular danger because the infection can be passed to an unborn baby, while newborns, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are all more likely to suffer severe illness.

Anyone in these categories who has eaten the recalled product and feels unwell has been advised to contact their GP or NHS 111 and to mention that they may have been exposed to listeria, as early treatment can make a significant difference.

• The affected product is The Curing Barn British Bresaola in 60g packs sold at Tesco.
• The recall applies to packs carrying a use-by date of 10 June 2026.
• Do not eat the product; return it to any Tesco store for a full refund.
• Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, chills, nausea and diarrhoea.
• Pregnant women, the elderly and those with weak immune systems are most at risk.

A busy month for recalls

The bresaola alert came amid a flurry of recalls across the sector. In recent weeks Tesco has also pulled a grape and berry medley over possible salmonella contamination and certain pates over incorrect use-by dates, while Aldi recalled smoked salmon fillets after a labelling error left them showing a use-by date months later than the correct one.

Other recent alerts have included undeclared allergens in confectionery and bakery products and a fizzy drink recalled because the cans could break apart unexpectedly, underlining the range of hazards the recall system is designed to catch.

“Recalls are a sign the system is working, not failing. When a problem is identified, the priority is to get the product off the shelves and out of people's kitchens as quickly as possible.”

Background

Food recalls in the UK are co-ordinated by the Food Standards Agency, which issues alerts when a product poses a risk to consumers, whether from contamination, undeclared allergens or labelling errors. Retailers and manufacturers are legally obliged to act, typically by removing stock and offering refunds, and notices are posted in stores and online to reach shoppers who have already bought the item.

Listeria is one of the most closely monitored contaminants in chilled, ready-to-eat foods precisely because of its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures and its severe consequences for vulnerable people.

What happens next: affected customers should return the product for a refund, and shoppers are advised to keep an eye on the FSA's alerts page and the retailers' own recall pages for further notices. Investigators will examine how the contamination occurred to prevent a recurrence.