This week there has been a surplus of undeclared allergens and sulphites being recalled in the UK and US, as well as a concerning case of Listeria monocytogenes. Here’s what you need to know…

Pathogen recalls

In the US, St James’ Smokehouse of Miami, Florida is voluntarily recalling 93 cases of the Scotch Reserve Scottish Smoked Salmon, 4oz Packages (Product of Scotland) due to its potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.

Thankfully, as of Friday 2 September, no illnesses have been reported.

The recalled product is St. James Scotch Reserve Scottish Smoked Salmon (Product of Scotland), 4oz packages, bearing the lot# 123172 and UPC code 060022710356.

The recalled product concerns those that have been sold by St James via distributers between February and June 2022. Stores located in the following areas have been affected: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Virginia and Wisconsin. The full list of location wher the product is sold is available on the FDA website.

Consumers who bought the product have been advised to dispose of the it immediately or return it to the store they purchased it from for a full refund.

Undeclared sulphites

Also in the US, ANKUR Muktan and Foods Inc, have recalled its 14 Oz (400 gm) packages of ‘Golden Raisin’ because they may contain undeclared sulphites.

Those who have a sensitivity to sulphites may suffer from serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled product was sold in a 14 oz clear plastic package with the UPC code 8904 1704 10327. importantly, all ANKUR Golden Raisin 14 oz is impacted by the recall, regardless of the presence of absence of a batch number.

This product was sold in stores throughout the US.

All customers who purchased the product have been urged to return it from the store they bought it from for a full refund.

Also as a result of undeclared sulphites, UK supermarket ALDI have recalled their Bramwells Tartare Sauce.

Due to mis-packing, Bramwells Tartare Sauce labels have been incorrectly applied to Bramwells Horseradish Sauce. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites.

The recall affects Bramwells Tartare Sauce bottles with the product codes 73685 and 40691. The batch code to look out for is 2118 in the pack size 175g with the best before date being April 2023.

ALDI has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers. Customers who have a sensitivity to sulphites have been advised not to eat the product and instead return it to the store they bought it from for a full refund.

Undeclared allergens

Elsewher in the UK, the FSA has released multiple allergy alerts concerning undeclared allergens on labels.

Costa Coffee has recalled its Costa Coffee Roast Chicken British Salad Sandwich due to undeclared mustard. This means that the product is a possible health risk to anyone with a mustard allergy.

Products with the following use by dates have been recalled:

• 11 September 2022
• 12 September 2022
• 13 September 2022
• 14 September 2022
• 15 September 2022
• 16 September 2022

In response to this recall, Costa has contacted allergy support organisations which will inform customers about the recall. The popular coffee shop chain has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers which explains why the product is being recalled and what customers should do if they have purchased it.

Customers who have bought the product and have an allergy to mustard have been advised not to eat it and return it to the store they bought it from for a full refund.

Unisnacks Europe Limited has recalled Lotte Pepero Snowy Almond due to undeclared peanuts and sesame being found in the product despite not being mentioned on the label.

The product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanuts and/ or sesame. Though a previous investigation found peanut not declared on the label, further inspection also uncovered sesame – also not declared on the label. 

Products with a 32g pack size and a best before date of either the 1 of May 2023 or the 2 of May 2023 are being recalled.

Customers who have bought the product and have an allergy to sesame and/ or peanuts have been advised not to eat the product. Instead they should return it to the store they purchased it from for a full refund.