Choco Crackles recalled due to the presence of various allergens

Subject:

Choco Crackles recalled due to the presence of various allergens

Products Recalled: Morrisons Free from Gluten Choco Crackles, available in 300 g, with a best before date of 18 September 2024.

Problem:

• The above-mentioned product is being recalled since it contains milk, gluten-free oats, and hazelnuts (nuts) that are not disclosed on the product label.
• This indicates that anyone allergic to nuts, milk or milk-based products or gluten-free oats may be at risk of health problems from the product.
• Morrisons has informed the appropriate allergy support organizations, who will notify their members of the product recall. Moreover, customers have received a point-of-sale notice from the business.
• These notices explain the reason for product recall and what consumers should do if they have already purchased the product: if they are allergic to any of the ingredients, they should not consume it and must return the product to the retailer for a complete refund [1].

Scientific Evidence:

• Food allergies affect 3%-8% of children and 1%-3% of adults in developed countries. It is not only common, but serious and life-threatening condition that necessitates a correct diagnosis and has a significant impact on an individual’s food habits and social life. Among the most common allergies include milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, almonds, sesame, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
• Food allergies such as milk, egg, and wheat are typically outgrown (patients develop tolerance), however peanut, tree nut, and fish allergies can last a lifetime.
• Hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, stomach pains, vomiting, repeated coughing, difficulty swallowing, and feeling faint are all symptoms of a food allergy. Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal condition, could also arise as a result of the allergen(s) [2].

Product Image:

What Regulations Clarify?

If an allergen is an ingredient or a processing aid, food manufacturers must identify all the main allergens on the food product label that include:

• Celery
• Gluten-Containing Cereals (Wheat, Rye, Barley, and Oats)
• Crustaceans (Prawns, Crabs, And Lobsters)
• Eggs
• Fish
• Lupin
• Milk
• Molluscs (Mussels and Oysters)
• Mustard
• Tree Nuts (Almonds, Hazelnuts, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Cashews and Pecans)

An ingredients list is required for pre-packaged foods. Every time allergenic components occur in the ingredients list, they must be highlighted in some way. For example, they can be listed in bold, contrasting colours or by underlining them.

Examples of ingredients that need to be clearly referenced to the allergen are:

• Tofu (soya)
• Tahini paste (sesame)
• Whey (milk)
• Allergen advice statements can also be used on the product label to explain how allergen information is presented on a label, for example:
• ‘Allergen Advice: for allergens, see ingredients in bold’
• ‘Allergen Advice: for allergens including cereals that contain gluten see ingredients in red [3].’