Food recalls are not extremely common but they must be taken seriously when they do occur.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) explained: “If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
“The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.”
In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.
Major supermarkets Tesco and Lidl have both recalled food products in recent days.
Tesco
The FSA said: “Tesco is recalling Growers Harvest Garden Peas because of possible contamination with an unknown type of berry, which may make this product unsafe to eat.”
Product details
Growers Harvest Garden Peas
Pack size: 900g
Batch code: 23196, 23197, 23198, 23199, 23200
Best before: January 2025
Product details
Growers Harvest Garden Peas
Pack size: 900g
Batch code: 23237, 23238, 23239, 23240
Best before: February 2025
Product details
Growers Harvest Garden Peas
Pack size: 900g
Batch code: 23256, 23257, 23258, 23259, 23260, 26261
Best before: March 2025
Product details
Growers Harvest Garden Peas
Pack size: 900g
Batch code: 23275, 23276, 23277
Best before: April 2025
The FSA issued a risk statement: “These products may contain an unknown type of berry which may make the product unsafe to eat.”
It advised: “If you have bought any of 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. For further details, please contact Tesco Customer Services directly on 0800 505 555.”
Tesco has also issued a recall notice to its customers here.
Lidl
The FSA said: “Lidl is recalling Braemoor Two Duck Breast Fillets with Plum, Soy and Ginger Sauce Sachet and Braemoor Two Duck Breast Fillets, Skin on and Boneless because salmonella has been found in the products.”
Product details
Braemoor Two Duck Breast Fillets with Plum, Soy and Ginger Sauce Sachet
Pack size: 400g
Best before: August 21, 2024
Product details
Braemoor Two Duck Breast Fillets, Skin on and Boneless
Pack size: 400g
Best before: August 31, 2024
The FSA issued a risk statement: “Salmonella has been found in the products listed above. Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.”
It advised: “If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store where they were bought for a full refund. For further information contact Lidl Customer Care on 0203 966 5566 or email [email protected]. For Northern Ireland, please contact 0289 568 4888.”
Lidl has also issued a recall notice to its customers here.