The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is advising people who may have bought certain batches of fresh packets of basil from Asda, Sainsbury's and Somerfield stores not to eat them due to possible salmonella contamination, which can cause diarrhoea and sickness.

The FSA website says: “Some of the 'display until' and 'best before' dates on the affected packets will have expired and the product will have reached the end of its shelf life. The affected basil is also labelled as 'wash before use'. However, it's possible that people may still have some affected batches at home. For example, they may have used the basil to make fresh pesto sauce, or used it as an ingredient in other uncooked foods. Also some people may have frozen the herb.”

Sainsbury's and Somerfield have informed the Agency that they have withdrawn all their potentially affected basil stocks with a best before date up to and including May 28. Asda has told the agency that the only affected batches sold through its stores are those with a display until date up to and including May 18.

“Agency advice is that people who have bought basil from Sainsbury's and Somerfield with a best before date up to and including the May 28 should take it back to the store where they bought it. People who bought basil from Asda with a display until date up to and including May 18 should also return it to the store they bought it from,” said a release.

The contamination came to light from a fresh herb survey being conducted by the Health Protection Agency and the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS).

All three supermarket chains have confirmed that none of the affected batches are still on sale in any of their UK stores.

The FSA is conducting further urgent investigations into the possible source of this problem along the supply chain, to ensure that no further contamination has occurred.

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