Major supermarkets have issued a ream of food warnings this month resulting in several recalls of seasonal and household products.
Asda, Co-Op, Lidl, Morrisons, Iceland and even Ikea are urging customers to check batch numbers and best before dates on a number of affected items - which include mince pies, meat, fish, cheese, rice and baby food.
Concerns have been raised that such products could be impacted by a range of problems, like containing metal shavings, plastic or Listeria, according to Food Standards Scotland.
If you have bought any of the affected items, you should return them to where they were purchased as soon as possible and will receive a full refund.
Read below to find out what food products have been issued recall notices in December.
Asda
- Extra Special 4 Apple & Pecan Crumble Mince Pies. All best before up to and including 13 December 2022.
- Extra Special 4 Extra Indulgent Mince Pies. All best before dates up to and including 28 December 2022.
- Extra Special 4 Crumble Top Mince Pies. All best before up to and including 13 December 2022.
Asda is recalling three types of Extra Special Mince Pies because they may contain trace amounts of plastic, impacting the above products.
The FSS said: "If you have purchased any of the above products do not eat them, please return it to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt.
"If you would like any further information, please contact Asda Customer Relations by telephone on 0800 952 0101."
Co-op
Co-op is recalling Co-op Anchovies in Olive Oil 50g tins with best before end dates of September 2023.
The product contains histamine and is a possible health risk for anyone with a sensitivity to histamine. Histamine can trigger an immune system response resulting in symptoms such as diarrhoea, shortness of breath, headaches, or skin irritation.
FSS advice reads: "If you have bought the above product, do not eat it. Instead return it to the nearest Co-op store for a full refund, or if self-isolating or shielding please contact the customer careline – contact 0800 0686 727 or customer.careline@coop.co.uk."
Lidl
Lidl has extended a recall of smoked salmon and trout products. The following products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes:
Lidl Deluxe Oak Smoked Scottish Louch/ Loch Trout 100g packs. All use-by dates from 20 December 2022 to 6 January 2023
Lidl Lighthouse Bay Smoked Trout Trimmings 120g packs. All use-by dates from 20 December 2022 to 6 January 2023
Lidl Deluxe Mild & Delicate Smoked Scottish Salmon 100g packs with use by date 11 January 2023
Lidl Deluxe Smoked Scottish Salmon with Ben Bracken Whisky 100g packs with use by date 11 January 2023
Lidl Lighthouse Bay Smoked Scottish Salmon Trimmings 120g packs with use by date 31 December 2022
The FSS said: "If you have bought the above products do not eat them - instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.
"Any queries or concerns can be directed to Lidl Customer Services on 0800 977 7766 or customer.services@lidl.co.uk."
Morrisons
Sold at Morrisons, Ella's Kitchen is recalling Banana Multigrain Baby Rice as it contains oats - which contain gluten - and is not included on the label.
The FSS states that the oats also make this product too thick in texture for a four month old to consume.
Ella's Kitchen Banana Multigrain Baby Rice 125g packs, with batch code 27922 and the best before dates of 5 October 2023 and 6 October 2023.
The FSS said: "If you have bought the above product and have coeliac disease, an allergy or intolerance to oat or gluten, do not eat it.
"Instead return it to the store from where it was purchased for a full refund. For more information, please contact Ella’s Kitchen on 0330 016 5221 or email customercare@ellaskitchen.co.uk."
Ikea
Almondy Almond cake with Daim is being recalled in Ikea stores because metal pieces have been found in the product. The following batch is affected:
Almondy Almond cake with Daim, 400g packs. Batch code: L2140, best before date: 18 November 2023.
The FSS said: "If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund, (no receipt is required), or contact Almondy at www.almondy.com."
Iceland
Iceland is continuing to recall Iceland Takeaway Pilau Rice because it contains egg, sesame, soya and wheat, which are not mentioned on the label.
The FSS said the product has been incorrectly packed with egg fried rice.
Iceland Takeaway Pilau Rice 350g packs with best before date of 10 January 2024.
It said: "If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to egg and/or wheat (gluten) and/or an allergy to sesame and/or soya do not eat it.
"Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. For further information, contact Iceland Customer Care on 0800 328 0800 option 2."
Korea foods
Korea Foods Company Ltd is recalling Sunshine in the Morning drink, as it contains milk which is not specified on the ingredients label.
- Sunshine in the Morning Drink 180ml, 500ml and 1.5 litre with all best before dates.
This creates a possible health risk for anyone with a lactose intolerance who may ingest the product without knowledge.
FSS advice states: "If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents do not drink it. Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund."
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