Legal action against Tesco and Asda for E. coli outbreak linked to chicken salad sandwiches

In a recent development, Tesco and Asda are facing legal action from customers, including the family of an 11-year-old girl, who fell seriously ill after consuming own-brand sandwiches linked to an E coli outbreak. The UK Health Security Agency reported two deaths in England within 28 days of infection with Shiga toxin-producing E coli, with one likely linked to the infection. The affected child developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition associated with E coli that can lead to kidney failure and death. Fieldfisher, a legal firm representing the affected parties, issued letters of claim against Tesco and Asda for breaching the Consumer Protection Act. The claims for compensation involve a man from the South East and the 11-year-old girl from the North West. The outbreak has resulted in a total of 275 confirmed cases in the UK, with additional cases reported as of 25 June. Symptoms of E coli infection include stomach cramps, fever, and in severe cases, HUS, particularly in children. The source of the outbreak is suspected to be lettuce, according to tests conducted by the Food Standards Agency. Fieldfisher highlighted a case where an 11-year-old girl developed HUS after consuming an own-brand chicken salad sandwich from Asda, leading to kidney damage and dialysis treatment. Asda stated they had not yet received any claim letters but would review them promptly upon receipt. Similarly, Tesco has not been officially notified of the claims. E coli are bacteria commonly found in human and animal intestines, with most infections being manageable at home without medical intervention. However, individuals experiencing symptoms are advised to seek medical assistance. To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended to cook food thoroughly and adhere to recommended cooking temperatures. The declining number of reported cases offers hope that the outbreak may be subsiding.