Allergy warning: Waitrose pulls cupcakes from shelves after safety warning over ‘hidden’ walnuts that could cause fatal anaphylactic shock

Waitrose has urgently recalled packs of its own-brand cupcakes over fears they may contain unlabelled walnuts.

The supermarket had placed a ‘do not eat’ warning on the packaging of nine mini chocolate cupcakes.

Food safety authorities have warned that the product, which costs £2.60, poses a ‘potential health risk to people with a walnut allergy’.

An allergic attack from walnuts usually causes relatively mild symptoms, such as cramps, nausea and diarrhea.

But in rare cases it can cause anaphylaxis: a life-threatening allergic reaction that can be fatal within minutes by causing the throat to swell and block airflow.

The supermarket has placed a ‘do not eat’ warning on its nine-pack of chocolate mini cupcakes. Food safety watchdogs warned that the £2.60 product poses a ‘potential health risk to anyone with a walnut allergy’

This warning only applies to products in packs of nine with a best-before date of July 20.

Waitrose said there had been a ‘packaging error’ which resulted in some packs accidentally containing a coffee and walnut cupcake.

According to the FSA, notices will also be displayed in all stores where the product is sold explaining to customers why the product is being recalled.

It added: ‘If you have purchased any of the above products and are allergic to walnuts, do not eat it.

‘Instead, return the product to the store where you bought it. You will then receive a full refund.’

A Waitrose spokesperson added: ‘We are recalling this product as a precaution due to the presence of unknown walnuts.

‘That’s because the wrong cupcakes were accidentally in the package.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and are offering our customers a full refund.”

There are currently no cures for walnut allergy. In the UK, this allergy affects around one in 200 adults and one in 50 children.

According to the NHS, nut allergies are among the most common food allergies.

Nuts include walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. People who are allergic to these nuts may feel nauseous, dizzy, and itchy.

Other mild symptoms include rash, swelling, and vomiting.

In rare cases, symptoms may not appear until several hours after exposure.

Patients are told to carry an EpiPen or other life-saving auto-injector in case they have an allergic reaction.

In severe cases, reactions can cause anaphylactic shock: a deadly overreaction of the immune system that can be fatal within minutes.

Anaphylaxis, a dangerous inflammation of the respiratory tract, can make it difficult or even impossible to breathe and can cause the heart to stop due to lack of oxygen.

Children with allergies are at greater risk of severe reactions because they are smaller and even small amounts of allergens can cause more severe reactions.

Allergies are often discovered in childhood, meaning parents may not have an emergency injection on hand if an allergic reaction occurs.