Lidl recalls product as Food Safety Authority warns of contamination risk
Olive and almond cream could cause botulism
The Food Safety and Security Authority has issued a warning over Lidl's Italiamo olive and almond cream after the product was found to be potentially contaminated with bacteria that can cause botulism.
In a statement on Saturday, the authority said the product which is sold in 190g jars (Lot number/Best Before Date: L244R - 01/09/2028) is “potentially contaminated with Clostridium botulinum which makes this product unsafe to consume”.
“Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning by producing a toxin that may affect the nervous system and lead to a condition known as botulism, which causes severe muscle paralysis,” the FSSA said.
The authority warned consumers not to consume the product and either dispose of it or return it to the story from which it was bought.
In a statement published in Italian media, Lidl Italy said it was requested to recall the product "as part of an epidemiological investigation, pending the outcome of microbiological tests ordered by the [Italian] authorities.”
The cream was produced for Lidl Italy by the Italian company Simens Alimentare Srl which is based in Padova.