Urgent product recall: Popular condiment pulled from shelves after bacteria that can cause meningitis detected

Meanwhile, Britons who have already bought the dressing are being urged to check the details of the product they have at home.

All 230g jars of the Potts’ Truffle Mayonnaise with best before date of July 2024 from batch 18823 are being recalled.

Those who have already bought the product are being urged to return it to the store they purchased it from for a full refund.

Warning Britons not to consume the condiment the FSA said Listeria monocytogenes could lead to symptoms "similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea".

It added: "In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

"Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems."

According the the NHS, "listeriosis is mild and gets better in a few days".

In its advice for those infected, it says: "You can usually look after yourself at home by resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

"If you're at a higher risk of getting seriously ill (for example, you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system), you may need antibiotics."

However, it urges anyone with symptoms including a severe headache and stiff neck, finding it uncomfortable to look at bright lights, or sudden confused to dial 999 immediately.

"These could be symptoms of meningitis caused by listeriosis, which needs to be treated in hospital straight away," it says.

Other symptoms which could indicate meningitis include feeling very sleepy or having difficulty to wake up and a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it.