Legal proceedings have been initiated against leading UK supermarkets Asda and Tesco following an E. coli outbreak linked to their own-brand sandwiches, according to the law firm Fieldfisher.
Fieldfisher announced on Friday that it has taken legal action on behalf of two individuals who fell ill during the outbreak, claiming breach of the Consumer Protection Act related to sandwiches purchased from Tesco and Asda.
The legal claim seeks compensation for a man from the South East and an 11-year-old girl from the North West of England. Tragically, one death in England has been linked to the E. coli outbreak, although the individual had underlying health conditions, as reported by the UK Health Security Agency.
The outbreak, suspected to be caused by salad leaves in certain supermarket sandwiches, has seen a decline in reported cases since early June, suggesting a potential end to the outbreak. Several food manufacturers have issued recalls as a precautionary measure, and the Food Standards Agency has identified lettuce as the likely source based on test results.
Fieldfisher detailed the case against Asda, involving the young girl who developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney condition, after consuming an own-brand chicken salad sandwich purchased online. The girl has been undergoing dialysis and faces potential long-term kidney damage.
In response, an Asda spokesperson stated that they had not yet received the letter from Fieldfisher but pledged to review the claim promptly upon receipt.
Regarding Tesco, Fieldfisher informed the media that they have sent a separate letter on behalf of a man from the South East who was hospitalized with E. coli symptoms after consuming Tesco-branded sandwiches containing salad. Fortunately, the man did not develop HUS and has since been discharged.
Harvinder Kaur, a director at Fieldfisher, emphasized that food producers are obligated under the Consumer Protection Act to ensure the safety of their products. She highlighted that consumers who suffer illness due to unsafe food are entitled to seek compensation, which may include coverage for ongoing medical care.
E. coli, or Escherichia coli, are bacteria commonly found in human and animal intestines. While many strains are harmless, others, like E. coli STEC O145 identified in this outbreak, can cause severe illness. Symptoms typically include diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), stomach cramps, fever, and vomiting. Most individuals recover without specific medical treatment, though some, especially young children or those with underlying health conditions, may experience serious complications such as HUS.
Both supermarkets have yet to officially respond to the legal claims, indicating that the matter is still developing.
As the legal process unfolds, public health advice continues to emphasize the importance of food safety practices, including thorough handwashing, proper fruit and vegetable washing, and cooking food to recommended temperatures as indicated on packaging. These measures aim to reduce the risk of bacterial infections such as E. coli.
