Recall Alert: Sainsbury’s Recalls Dates Due to Hepatitis A Fears

Sainsbury’s is recalling certain packs of Taste the Difference Medjool Dates as they may be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.

The recall, issued Tuesday on the Food Safety Agency (FSA) and Sainsbury’s websites, applies to all 200g and 500g packs of Taste the Difference Medjool Dates with supplier code K0014 EW.

“We are asking customers who have purchased these products with this specific supplier code not to eat them and to return them to their nearest Sainsbury’s store for a full refund when they next visit for groceries and other essentials,” the recall says.

Sainsbury’s is not currently subject to legal action over this incident, however Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they can sometimes result in class action lawsuits. 

The hepatitis A virus can cause a highly contagious, short-term liver infection. Symptoms caused by hepatitis A usually include fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin. 

The supermarket chain said no customers had so far reported feeling unwell, but if they do, they should call their GP immediately. Sainsbury’s said compensation of anyone who did fall ill would be “managed on a case by case basis.”

The dates have been on sale since Dec. 24, 2020, and were also sold through Dobbies and Simply Fresh. The issue had been picked up through Sainsbury’s close contact with the FSA, the supermarket said, adding that it was “urgently investigating” the contamination with its supplier.

The recall coincides with the start of Ramadan, a holy month on the Islamic calendar in which Muslims fast from dawn-to-sunset, breaking their fast with a nightly meal known as iftar. 

For iftar, many Muslims traditionally break their fast by first eating dates, as the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have broken his fast by eating dates.

Sainsbury’s issued a direct apology to its Muslim customers over the inconvenience of the recall. 

“We continue to stock Taste the Difference dates,” the company said. “We just ask that customers return any with the supplier/site code affected. We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.”

Sainsbury’s was also recently forced to recall a baby formula product it stocks, as it may contain pieces of plastic that babies could choke on. Batches of SMA Wysoy Infant Formula are currently under recall due to the choking hazard.

Are you affected by this recall? Let us know in the comments!

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