Large supermarket urgently recalls festive food due to deadly risk
A popular product from Aldi’s party food range has been urgently recalled amid fears it could pose a deadly risk to people with allergies.
The supermarket chain said the Let’s Party Vegetarian Bao Buns may contain sesame and duck meat, which is not declared on the label.
Customers who bought the product, sold in packs of eight, have been advised not to eat it as it could be life-threatening for people with a sesame allergy.
The recall affects all packages of Aldi’s Let’s Party Vegetarian Bao Buns and not one particular batch.
Officials at the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who published the publication alerttold customers allergic to sesame to return the product to the branch where it was purchased for a full refund.
Aldi stated in the recall: ‘Our supplier is recalling Let’s Party Vegetable Bao Buns due to an error, which means some products contain an undeclared allergen (sesame), as well as duck meat not declared on the packaging.
‘This could pose a health risk to anyone with a sesame allergy.’
It added: ‘We apologize that this product did not meet our normal high standards and thank you for your cooperation.’
The recall affects all packages of Aldi’s Let’s Party Vegetarian Bao Buns and not a specific batch
Officials from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which published the warning, told customers allergic to sesame to return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.
Aldi has also contacted the relevant allergy support organisations, who will inform their members about the recall.
A point of sale notice has also been sent to its customers.
Sesame allergy affects one in 100 people, according to the NHS.
It has also become increasingly common over the past twenty years, warns Anaphylaxis UK.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to sesame include a rash, swelling around the face, lips or eyes, an itchy throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and an itchy feeling in the mouth.
Such reactions can occur within minutes or within a few hours of eating sesame products.
Although most people with the allergy only experience mild reactions, it can cause serious reactions known as anaphylaxis.
When this happens, patients find themselves unable to breathe and may lose consciousness.
If adrenaline (usually in the form of an Epipen) is not administered promptly, patients are at risk of coma and death.
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who had a fatal nut allergy, died aged 15 after having an allergic reaction to a Pret sandwich on a British Airways flight while traveling home from a dream trip to Nice in 2016.
In the wake of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s death, her parents, Tanya and Nadim, campaigned for a ‘Natasha’s Law’ to ensure all food would carry warning labels about allergens.
Before the law came into effect in 2021, retailers took advantage of a loophole in the law that didn’t require manufacturers to put ingredient or allergen labels on food made on site.
