Two sandwich brands have recalled products using tikka powder supplied by Catermix, due to the possible presence of salmonella, a bacterium that can cause food poisoning.

Lytham Foods issued a recall on 1 February on all Taylors of Lytham Chicken Tikka Sandwiches with a use-by date up to and including 18 February after testing revealed the possible presence of the bacteria in the tikka powder. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website, Catermix “manufactured the ingredient in unhygienic conditions and failed to comply with the food hygiene regulations”. 

A few days earlier on 29 January, Easy Eats UK recalled several products which also included Catermix tikka power. These were its Snax on the Go Chicken Tikka Filler & Fillings and the Snacksters Chicken Tikka Wraps with a use-by date of 8 February 2016 and the Snacksters Chicken Tikka Sandwiches, Snax on the Go Mixed Case (including Chicken Tikka Sandwiches), Snacksters Mixed case (including Chicken Tikka Sandwiches) and Best In Chicken Tikka Sandwiches with use-by dates of 15 February 2016.

In both cases, the companies confirmed no other products had been affected and said that serious microbial problems had been discovered by routine testing.

The FSA issued a recommendation saying: “If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.”

Easy Eats UK is a sandwich brand owned by Lancashire-based Summit Foods and supplies the wholesalers Booker and Bestway. Lytham Foods is a family-owned company based in Blackpool, which specialises in manufacturing sandwiches, pastries and other products for retailers and foodservice clients.

British Baker has approached Catermix for comment and is awaiting a response.