The 2024 United Kingdom shigatoxigenic E. coli outbreak was a Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) O145 outbreak that is believed to have occurred in prepackaged supermarket sandwiches, salads, wraps distributed to and sold in multiple supermarket chains across the United Kingdom such as Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, WHSmith, and Tesco.
Inflammation of the digestive tract lining and the glomerular vascular endothelium can potentially lead to hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome respectively.
[3] United Kingdom public health authorities determined that the breakout was linked to the tainting of “a small number of salad leaf products”.
[6] Several food manufacturers have had to recall multiple products suspected to be tainted with E. coli, with a use-by date of 16 June or earlier.
Recalls include: Statements from the Food Standards Agency and British Retail Consortium reported that they were contacting all relevant retailers and food manufacturers in order to work with them on testing potentially tainted products and distributing recall notices emphasizing the potential severe GI and kidney damage STEC O145 organisms can cause.