Wide-ranging urgent food recalls coming in days ahead, warns FSA

The agency says a major investigation is ongoing as product including snacks and ready meal could be a 'serious risk'

Wide-ranging product recalls and warnings are to be issued in the days ahead according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland after a major contamination in production. The FSA has continued to work with food businesses and Local Authorities to investigate the food supply chain for mustard ingredients which may have been contaminated with peanuts.

This potentially poses a serious risk, particularly to people with a serious peanut allergy. As a result of extensive and ongoing investigations, the food business FGS Ingredients Limited which imports mustard to manufacture spice products including curry powders, seasonings and spice blends from India, has undertaken a precautionary withdrawal and recall of all products containing mustard.

These spices and blends are also used in products such as ready meals and snacks and the FSA expects to issue a wide range of recalls in the coming days. Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the FSA said: "Although the investigation continues, we can confirm it is only these products supplied by FGS Ingredients Limited which have been affected and not all mustard imports from India.

"We continue to advise people with a peanut allergy to avoid eating any food containing mustard ingredients until all recalls have been issued and we will provide an update on this advice when it changes This remains a complex investigation, and we are continuing to work with FSS, relevant businesses, local authorities, and agencies to ensure the necessary measures are in place to protect consumers.

"While our investigations continue our advice remains the same: people with a peanut allergy should continue to avoid consuming all foods that contain or may contain mustard, mustard seeds, mustard powder or mustard flour.

"Our current focus is to ensure all affected products have been withdrawn and recalled. Once this has taken place, we are confident we’ll be in a position to remove some of our additional advice for consumers, so they can continue to enjoy food that is safe and trust the product label and information accurately reflects the allergenic content. Until this happens it’s very important that people with a peanut allergy continue to avoid any product containing mustard or mustard ingredients

"I strongly encourage consumers with a food hypersensitivity to sign up for our allergy alerts to stay informed about future recalls. The dedicated information hub will continue to be updated as and when more information is available.”

If anyone has had an allergic reaction that could be linked to this investigation, 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.

Product details so far

**Chef Select Takeaway Garlic and Herb Dip

**Mr Vikki’s Hot Stuff Chilli Sauce

Favourit Medium Curry Powder

Dunnes Stores Mild Curry Powder

Dunnes Stores Cajun Seasoning

Dunnes Stores Medium Madras Curry Powder

Dunnes Stores Hot Curry Powder

Dunnes Stores Black Mustard Seeds

Favourit Cajun Seasoning

Favourit Fajita Seasoning

Favourit Mild Curry Powder

Favourit Medium Curry Powder

Favourit Hot Curry Powder

Favourit Cajun Seasoning

Favourit Fajita Seasoning

Favourit Hot Curry Powder