SAINSBURY’S has pulled bags of crisps from its shelves over fears they could trigger allergic reactions.
Some batches of the supermarket‘s Taste the Difference Sea Salt and Suffolk Cider Vinegar Hand Cooked Crisps have been recalled as they may contain milk, which isn’t listed as an ingredient on the packaging.
“This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents and should not be eaten,” the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.
The warning applies to bags with a best before date of October 26, 2024, and the SKU code 6328534.
Affected customers should return the product to their nearest store for a full refund.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “This is an important safety warning.
“Sainsbury’s is recalling its Taste the Difference Sea Salt and Suffolk Cider Vinegar Hand Cooked Crisps with the above use-by date as a precautionary measure as it may contain milk, which is not stated on the label.
“This means the product could pose a risk to consumers with an allergy or intolerance to milk.
“If you have bought the product and have an allergy to milk, do not eat it.
“Instead, return it to your local Sainsbury’s store for a full refund, with or without a receipt.
“No other Sainsbury’s product has been affected and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.”
The recall is listed on the FSA website and at entrances and tills in shops.
An estimated two million people in the UK live with some kind of food allergy.
The most common is thought to be egg white, followed by wheat, green beans, rye and almonds.
Reactions to these foods can range from a sniffle or itch to life-threatening anaphylaxis, which blocks the airways.
Other symptoms can include:
- Swelling of your throat and tongue
- Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
- Feeling tired or confused
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
- Skin that feels cold to the touch
- Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue (if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
Deaths from serious reactions due to food have declined over the past 20 years, analysis of UK NHS data in 2021 found.
But there are still an estimated 10 fatalities annually, and hospital admissions for food-induced anaphylaxis have shot up since the late 90s.
Between 1998 and 2018, there was a three-fold increase per year, from 1.23 to 4.04 admissions per 100,000 population.
What to do if you have anaphylaxis
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one (instructions are included on the side of the injector).
- Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you’re having an anaphylactic reaction.
- Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you’re struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you’re pregnant, lie on your left side).
- If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it’s still in the skin.
- If your symptoms have not improved after five minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
Source: NHS