The Food Standards Agency has issued an urgent recall notice for one of Waitrose’s most popular takeaway products over fears it could contain a fatal undeclared allergen
A major supermarket has apologised to customers after one of it’s most popular products was pulled from shelves over fears it could have been contaminated by a potentially fatal allergen. Supermarket giant Waitrose recalled it’s mouth-watering ‘Chinese Takeaway Bag for 2′ earlier this month, as it could pose a deadly health risk for shoppers that suffer from a shellfish allergy.
Several batches of the popular takeaway meal were recalled after it was discovered that the packs contained molluscs, which were not declared on the package labelling. Affected batches only include those with use by dates from September 21, 2024 to December 4, 2024, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed.
Following the recall, customers are being urged to check their fridges and freezers for the meals and warned not to eat them, with shoppers instead advised to return the products to any Waitrose store for a full refund, with no receipt required.
“We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused,” the supermarket said in statement.
Following the discovery of the contamination, Waitrose reached out to customers to tell them of the potentially deadly situation as well as contacting several allergy support organisations, who have also communicated the recall to their members.
Around 134,000 to 335,000 Brits suffer from an allergy to shellfish, which includes molluscs such as clams, mussels and oysters. Sadly, shellfish allergies are also one of the most dangerous to live with, as the symptoms of an allergic reaction can come on suddenly and severely.
For mild allergy suffers symptoms can be simple such as a sniffly or runny nose, or itchy skin – but for more severe allergic reactions, it can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis, a condition in which the airway swells shut.
Allergy symptoms can include:
- Rash (hives or ‘nettle’ rash)
- Swelling around the lips, face or eyes
- Itchy throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth
- Stomach pain
- Difficult or noisy breathing
- Wheezing
- Persistent cough
- Chest tightness
- Hoarse voice
- Difficulty swallowing
Although fatal allergic reactions have thankfully reduced over the past two decades, they can still prove to be a serious risk to those who suffer from them.
These include stars such as Love Island’s Jack Fowler, who suffered a serious allergic reaction while travelling on a flight to Dubai earlier this year – which could very easily have been fatal.
