A sliced pepperoni product sold in Ireland has been recalled after the detection of a "special group" of E.coli.
Co-op Sliced Pepperoni, with a pack size of 70g, is subject to the food safety alert after the bacteria was found in one of its batches.
Escherichia coli (STEC), detected in the batch with a use by date of May 19, 2020, produces a powerful toxin which can cause "severe illness".
The food safety chiefs said: "Co-op is recalling the above batch of its Sliced Pepperoni due to the detection of E.coli O157.
"Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch."
Being infected with this group of E.coli could lead to kidney failure in those under the age of five and the elderly.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland outlined the potential dangers if the product is consumed.
It said: "Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), also known as Verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC), are a specific group of E. coli.
"While most E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans, STEC produce a powerful toxin which can cause severe illness.
"Symptoms include abdominal cramps and diarrhoea which is sometimes bloody. Usually there is little or no fever, and patients recover within 5 to 10 days.
"In some people however, particularly children under 5 years of age and the elderly, the infection can cause a complication called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys can stop working properly."
Consumers are being advised not to eat the product, while retailers are being instructed to remove it from sale.
