'Can make you very ill!' Tesco shoppers warned as supermarket recalls chicken with wrong use by date

Tesco 8 Chicken Tsukune Skewers

Pack size: 280g

Use by: December 23, 2024

The FSA stated: "The product has been labelled with a use by date of 23/12/2024 instead of 10/12/2024 which makes them unsafe to eat after the December 10, 2024 date.

"Tesco is recalling the above product and has issued a recall notice to alert customers.

"These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product."

Tesco explained that an extension of the use by date could pose a health risk if the product is kept past its correct shelf life.

Shoppers were advised: "If you’ve bought an affected product with batch code 241025, please don’t eat it.

"Instead, return it to a Tesco store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required. Use our store locator to find your nearest UK Tesco store."

Customers who have any further enquiries should contact the Tesco Customer Service Team at 0800 505 555.

The FSA echoed the supermarket's advice, urging customers not to eat the product and instead, return it to a Tesco store for a full refund.

The FSA has published important information on best before and use by dates, explaining the importance of these to consumers.

Its guidance on use by dates reads: "A use by date on food is about safety. This is the most important date to remember. Never eat food after the use by date, even if it looks and smells ok, as it could make you very ill.

"You can eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen. You will see use-by dates on food that goes off quickly, such as meat products or ready-to-eat salads.

"For the use-by date to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow the food's storage instructions. For example, if the instructions on the packaging tell you to refrigerate after opening, you should keep the food in a fridge at 5C or below."

The FSA provides further guidance on chilling your food correctly.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• 'Do not consume!' Waitrose shoppers warned of product which could have 'milk contamination'
• Product recall: Britons urged to check their homes for electric blanket that poses 'fire risk'
• Aldi shares an update on surprise food bag where shoppers can get items for less

The Government department continued: "You can cook food until midnight of the use by date listed on the product, and then cool and keep it in the fridge. This is because cooking kills any pathogens in the food and gives you a little more time to use it.

"You must eat the food within 48 hours or freeze it to eat later. If you freeze the food, make sure that you label what it is and the date it was frozen, so you don’t end up with a UFO (unidentifiable frozen object).

"After the use by date, don't eat, cook or freeze your food. And remember, you cannot smell the bacteria which make you ill."

Providing some key information about why food products are sometimes recalled, the FSA said: "If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product).

"The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

"In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers."

Food recalls should always be taken seriously to ensure customer safety. Waitrose recently pulled a curry from shelves that may pose a health risk.