Customer safety is of paramount importance to Marks & Spencer and we take all issues regarding the production of our food extremely seriously.

Routine microbiological testing conducted by our supplier has indicated the presence of Salmonella in two houmous products, which were dated 'Use By 15 February' and which were immediately withdrawn from sale when we discovered the issue. We have also informed the Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and are working closely with them. We have put notices into all our stores alerting any customers who still have this product to return it immediately to M&S stores for a full refund.

We are conducting a thorough investigation with our supplier to find out how this has happened.

As an extreme precaution only, we have also withdrawn all unaffected Marks & Spencer houmous products while we conduct these investigations and until we are satisfied our products meet our high standards. If any customers have any M&S houmous product, they can return it to an M&S store where they will be given a full refund.

The tests used are highly sensitive, which means that a very low level of salmonella can be detected which may be too low to cause any illness.

No customer complaints or reports of any illness have been received.

For further information, please contact:

Tania Littlehales, Head of Product PR - 020 8718 2098/07710 595500
Clair Foster, Head of Corporate PR - 020 8718 8323/ 07748 147851
Bella Vuillermoz, Corporate PR Manager - 020 8718 1967/07919 057566
Kate Gentle, Food PR Manager - 020 8718 8741/07810 646662
Out of hours - 020 8718 2000

Marks & Spencer Customer Services can be reached on 0845 302 1234

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