For those who savour their festive fare, theres cause for caution: major supermarket chains including Tesco and Aldi have been pressured to issue an urgent recall on a selection of Christmas treats due to concerns that the products might be “unsafe”. Mislabelling and the accidental introduction of foreign objects are among the reasons prompting these recalls.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) mandates such recalls for various reasons, particularly when foods contain undeclared allergens or accidental non-food materials. The FSA then advises consumers on appropriate steps to take and explains why these items have been pulled from sale.
Getting a refund is generally straightforward, with supermarkets often not requiring a receipt. If you’ve stocked up on seasonal eats, here’s what you should look out for:.
Cheese lovers should heed this warning: Dunnes Stores has issued a recall notice for several cheese products and cheese-infused goods over potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, as reported by Lancs Live.
Per FSA announcements, the affected cheeses are either produced by Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese in Ireland or include ingredients obtained from them, and can be purchased at Dunnes Stores across Northern Ireland, reports the Mirror.
The specifics of the recalled products are:
– Dunnes Stores Wicklow Smoked Cheddar.
Pack size: 150g.
Best before: All dates.
– Dunnes Stores Wicklow Tomato and Herb Cheddar.
Pack size: 150g.
Best before: All dates.
– Dunnes Stores Wicklow Nettle and Chive Cheddar, 150g, all best before dates.
– Dunnes Stores Wicklow Blue Brie, 150g, all best before dates.
Also included in the recall are:
– Simply Better Irish Brie Cheese and Cranberry Quiche.
Pack size: 800g
Best before: All dates
– Simply Better Wicklow Ban in Ceramic Dish
Pack size: 150g
Best before: All dates
– Simply Better Double Cream Wicklow Ban
Pack size: 150g
Best before: All dates
– Simply Better Farmhouse Irish Cheese Selection
Pack size: 735g
Best before: All dates
– Simply Better and Neven Maguire Cheese Selection
Pack size: 705g
Best before: All dates
The FSA has issued a warning due to “the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the products listed above. Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.”
They also cautioned that “However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis. Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.”
The advice for consumers is clear: “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.”
Beef slices.
Tesco is urgently recalling its Tesco 10 Cooked Beef Slices due to a labelling mishap which displays an incorrect use-by date, rendering the product unsafe to eat. The specific details of the item being recalled are: Tesco 10 Cooked Beef Slices, Pack size: 125g, Use by: 24 January 2025.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has given shoppers at Tesco a serious caution regarding the product with the wrong date: “If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the Tesco store for a full refund. For further information, please contact customer service team on 0800 505 555.”
Red Cabbage and Apple
Furthermore, concerns raised about Tesco’s Red Cabbage and Apple 300G prompted by inaccuracies in labelling. These items in concern mistakenly bear a use-by date of December 29, rather than the actual December 11, potentially leading consumers to eat the product beyond its safe consumption window.
The FSA has elaborated that “An extension of the Use by Date could pose a risk to health, if the product is kept past the correct shelf life of the product.”
Customers who have bought the affected produce are strongly advised to avoid consumption. They should instead bring it back to any Tesco shop for a complete refund or alternatively contact Tesco Customer Services on 0800 505 555.
Crushed garlic
Additionally, Morrisons shoppers who enjoy adding a flavourful touch to their dishes with garlic must take heed. Morrisons is recalling their Morrisons Crushed Garlic 75g jars, which carry a best before label of 19.10.25.
A crucial component missing from the product could impede control of microbiological growth, posing a safety risk. Morrisons has apologised for the inconvenience and reassured customers of its dedication to maintaining high standards of product quality and safety.
If you have purchased this product, do not consume it; instead, return it to your nearest Morrisons store for a full refund, no questions asked. For any enquiries, please contact Morrisons Customer Service on 0345 611 6111.
Vegetable Bao Buns.
Aldi’s Let’s Party Vegetable Bao Buns, which you may have purchased and stored in your freezer for festive occasions, are being urgently recalled by the supermarket due to an undeclared allergen (sesame), as well as unlisted duck meat. This could potentially pose a health risk to anyone with a sesame allergy.
Aldi has contacted relevant allergy support organisations who will inform their members about the recall. The supermarket has also removed these products from all stores and is asking customers to return the items for a full refund.
Aldi’s customer care line is 0800 042 0800.