UK supermarket chain Morrisons has recalled its ready-to-eat peppered beef slices due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

The move followed a report by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the product was infected with listeria. All 150g packs of the product with a use-by date of 21 February were recalled.

The organism can cause symptoms similar to flu, which may include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea. It may lead to severe complications such as meningitis.

"Our routine testing has identified the presence of low levels of Listeria in this product."

FSA said: "If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from wher it was bought for a full refund."

People aged more than 65 years, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems are said to be more prone to listeria infections.

A Morrisons spokesperson was quoted by The Telegraph as saying: "Our routine testing has identified the presence of low levels of Listeria in this product.

"We are asking all customers who have bought this use-by date of this product not to consume it and to return it to their nearest Morrisons store wher they will receive a full refund."

The supermarket plans to display point-of-sale notices in all the stores selling this product, explaining the reason for the recall and instructions for consumers who have already bought the product.

FSA said that no other Morrisons products are known to be affected.