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.”