On March 28, 2025, Waitrose initiated a voluntary recall of its ZOE Daily 30+ 7-Day Supplement after reports of contamination involving small stones and metal particles. These foreign substances posed a significant risk of choking and internal harm to users. [1] [2]
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) published a product alert across the United Kingdom urging consumers to stop taking the supplement and bring it back right away.
Early investigations revealed shortcomings in the production process’s foreign object control procedures.
The primary weaknesses were:
Missed Controls | Description |
Metal Detection | Not deployed consistently across all packaging lines |
Final QC Screening | No use of X-ray detection to catch dense foreign objects |
Supplier Oversight | Raw material and capsule sourcing lacked integrity audits |
Visual Inspection | End-product inspection was either skipped or non-systematic |
People may become infected in a variety of ways:
In exceptional circumstances: hospitalizations and blood infections, especially among children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Following lab-confirmed positive results for Salmonella, the FDA worked with Supercan. Veterinary clinics were notified, and the goods were instructed to be removed from shop shelves. The regulatory outcomes are not currently available to the public at the lot level, but the manufacturer voluntarily responded to them.
Customers and distributors are encouraged to use the contact methods listed in the recall notification to report any negative incidents or seek guidance directly from the FDA or Supercan Bulk if they have any questions or issues. [1]
Customers reported finding minute, hard stones and sharp metallic debris inside individual supplement capsules. Foreign body contamination was determined to be a significant risk, particularly for:
The recall was issued because of the possibility of choking or internal damage, and it resulted in the immediate removal of the product across the nation. [4] No injuries were reported at the time of the recall.
The event was deemed a Level 1 food safety danger by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), which ordered an immediate recall.
Regulatory Response | Description |
Level 1 Food Safety Risk Classification | Highest risk category due to potential serious injury |
Rapid Alert Notification | Issued through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) |
Retailer Directive | Waitrose instructed to pull products and post physical/electronic alerts |
Consumer Refund Policy | All customers entitled to refunds without proof of purchase |
Manufacturer Warning | Production oversight flagged for potential future inspections |
Customers were advised by Waitrose and ZOE to:
This recall is a clear illustration of the necessity of incorporating foreign object controls throughout the whole supplement production process, from raw material intake to packaging.
The following best practices for supplement makers are recommended by FRL:
The ZOE Daily 30+ recall underscores the need for stringent safety controls—mechanical, microbial, and visual—throughout the supplement production process. To maintain consumer confidence, especially in this age of wellness-driven purchase and health personalization, producers and retailers alike must collaborate.
Don’t wait for a recall to test your safety system.
Let FRL help you:
Partner with FRL today to ensure your operations are recall-resistant, regulation-aligned, and consumer-trusted.
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