Urgent ‘avoid’ alert on 66 ‘contaminated’ dips, sandwiches and wraps

AN urgent “avoid” alert has been issued for 66 “contaminated” dips sandwiches and wraps which could pose a lethal threat.

Last month, the food watchdog recalled dozens of foods and condiments they had reason to believe might be with peanuts not listed on the label.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is still advising people with a peanut allergy to avoid consuming foods that may contain mustard, because they could be contaminated with peanuts.

Mustard ingredients – including mustard powder or flour – can be found in dips, sauces, salads and pre-packed sandwiches, the FSA said.

The food agency said they have recalled 66 products as they continue to investigate.

Some of the products being recalled, or removed from sale, because they may contain peanuts include Dominos dips, SPAR sandwich fillers and salads, and Harvester BBQ sauce.

Multiple spices that contain mustard have also been recalled as they may have undeclared peanuts.

The FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have traced the contaminated mustard ingredients to three suppliers in India.

These producers have supplied three spice companies in the UK; FGS Ingredients Ltd and two further companies, which have subsequently distributed the ingredients to a range of manufacturing, hospitality and retail businesses.

Food business, FGS Ingredients Limited, have undertaken a precautionary withdrawal and recall of all products containing mustard.

The company imports mustard to manufacture spice products including curry powders, seasonings and spice blends from India.

These spices and blends are also used in products such as ready meals and snacks and a wide range of recalls are expected to be issued in the coming days.

A list of FSG products affected has been released by the FSA and the food regulation company say that not all mustard imports from India have been contaminated.

Parents of children with a peanut allergy should check the labels of food they are buying and ask restaurants and take-away outlets about foods that might contain mustard, the agency says.

Because of how serious allergic reactions to peanuts can be, the FSA says it is taking a precautionary approach, so that people with allergies can keep themselves safe.

Rebecca Sudworth, director of food policy at the FSA, said: “This investigation is complex and the FSA and FSS are working with relevant businesses, local authorities, and agencies to put all necessary measures in place to protect consumers.

“For now, it remains very important that anyone with a peanut allergy avoids consuming products containing mustard as an ingredient until we are satisfied industry has identified and recalled all the specific affected products.

“Parents and carers of children who have a peanut allergy should take care to check the labels of food they buy and, if eating out, or getting a takeaway, ask the restaurant or cafe about foods that might contain mustard.      

“While we understand that this advice may currently limit many people’s food choices, our priority must be to ensure consumer safety. 

“If you or a family member has had an allergic reaction that could be linked to this investigation, please report it to the food business who supplied the affected product and to the local authority where the product was purchased.

“Guidance is available for how to report a food problem to a local authority.  

“We will update consumers as soon as more information becomes available.

“We strongly encourage individuals with allergies to sign up for our allergy alerts to stay informed about future recalls.”

According to the agency, if mustard is present in a food, it should be labelled in bold on the packet because it is an allergen itself.

If there is a risk that mustard could be unintentionally present in food, there will be a “may contain” label for mustard.

Peanut allergies are particularly common, affecting about one in 50 children in the UK, increasing in recent decades, according to Allergy UK.

Allergies usually develops in early childhood but, occasionally, can appear in later life.

Peanut allergies tend to be persistent and only approximately one in five children outgrow their allergy, usually by the age of 10.

If you think you or your child may be allergic to peanuts, see your GP who can refer you to a specialist allergy clinic.

It’s important to get a referral even if the symptoms were mild because it can be hard to tell if future allergic reactions could be more serious.

Dominos previously urged those with a peanut allergy to dispose of the dips mentioned on the recall alert and avoid consuming them.