Major UK supermarkets recall products over allergy fears

Two major supermarkets are recalling food products that have been labelled incorrectly and pose a potential allergy risk.

Tesco Finest Caesar & Smoked Bacon Coleslaw has been urgently recalled because some packs may contain Tesco Finest Four Cheese Potato Salad.

The potato salad is a potential health hazard because it contains mustard which is not declared on the label - a danger to anyone with an allergy to mustard.

Only the coleslaw sold in 270g packets with a use by date of September 4 are affected by the recall, the Food Standards Agency said.

Customers have been told not to eat the product if they have a mustard allergy and instead to return the product to a Tesco store where a full refund will be given without a receipt.

Mustard allergy symptoms can range from a mild skin irritation and stomach discomfort to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis, according to Allergy UK.

Tesco said: “If you’ve bought the affected product and have an allergy to mustard, please don’t eat.

“Instead, return the product to any Tesco store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.

“No other Tesco products are affected by this recall. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Waitrose & Partners is also recalling a product which has been incorrectly labelled. The supermarket's Rhubarb Crumble is being urgently recalled because it contains oats (gluten) which is not mentioned on the label.

Because the pudding contains gluten it is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to oats or gluten, or for those with coeliac disease.

The 500g product has a use-by date of 19 August 2026 but has home freezing instructions to consume within one month of freezing. No other products or batches are affected by the recall.

The Food Standards Agency has urged customers to not eat the product if they have an allergy or intolerance to oats or gluten and instead return it to the store for a full refund.

Waitrose has apologised that it was “necessary” to recall the item and for the inconvenience caused.

Oat allergy symptoms include itchy or irritated skin, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Meanwhile, coeliac disease can cause stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue, according to the NHS.