Popular supermarkets are warning the public to check their cupboards after several food products have been recalled.
Major supermarkets including Tesco, Dunnes, Lidl, Aldi and SuperValu are warning affected customers not to consume certain products that were sold in the last few weeks.
The Irish Mirror has reported that popular ice cream, eggs, crisps and biscuits are among the items that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued alerts.
Brands include Haagen-Dazs, Tesco free-from digestives and Lidl paella.
The items have been removed from sales but households across Ireland are being advised to check their cupboards for any of the recalled products.
The shops that stocked the impacted products will give shoppers refunds for returning any of the affected batches.
The FSAI explains: “Food alerts are notifications issued by the FSAI to official agencies and food businesses or other businesses relating to an identified hazard i.e. a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food/food contact materials with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.”
Below are all of the current recall notices in effect.
Haagen-Dazs ice cream
The detection of 2-Chloroethanol has led to an urgent recall notice for various batches of Haagen-Dazs last week.
The chemical 2-Chloroethanol is banned for use in foods in Europe.
The affected flavours include: Belgian Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Pralines and Cream, and Duo Belgian Chocolate and Strawberry Crunch.
They were for sale in major Irish supermarkets including Tesco, Dunnes and SuperValu.
The notice is for all best before dates up to and including May 21, 2023.
2-Chloroethanol does not cause a direct risk but is unsafe if consumed on a long term basis.
An FSAI spokesperson explained: “2-Chloroethanol is a recognised reaction product of ethylene oxide.
“Ethylene oxide is a pesticide that is not permitted for use in foods sold in the EU but is approved for use by other countries outside the EU.
“Although the consumption of the contaminated batches does not pose an acute risk to health, there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption of contaminated food over a long period of time.
“Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised.”
Here are the batches affected by the recall:
Last month, a separate alert was issued for Haagen-Dazs Vanilla (tub); pack size: 460ml and Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Collection; pack size: 4x95ml for the same reason.
Meadow Park Free Range Duck Eggs
Meadow Park Eggs is recalling the batches of its Meadow Park 6 Free Range Duck Eggs due to the possible presence of Salmonella.
The recall includes all best before dates up to and including 08/08/2022.
Tortilla chips
Various batches of popular organic tortilla chips have been recalled due to the possible presence of Tropane Alkaloids.
The products are sold in various Irish supermarkets, including Spar.
Tropane alkaloids are naturally occurring toxins present in certain plant species.
Adverse effects in humans can include changes in heart rate, decreased salivary and sweat secretion, pupil dilation, dizziness, headache, and nausea.
An FSAI spokesperson warned: "Contamination of food can occur if parts (mostly seeds) of tropane alkaloid-containing plant species are unintentionally harvested with agricultural crops."
Roma Formaggio Da Pasta
The FSAI has issued a recall notice on a very popular Italian product sold in supermarkets nationwide.
The affected batch is in a pack size of 80g with the best before date 05/05/2023.
The alert on Roma’s 'Formaggio Da Pasta' is due to the potential presence of mould.
The Foodie Market Milled Brown Flaxseed
Aldi is recalling a batch of The Foodie Market Milled Brown Flaxseed due to detection of Salmonella Typhimurium.
The affected product has a batch code of L131315 and is best before the end of January 2023.
The FSAI said: "People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps.
"The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have more severe illness."
Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles
The presence of an unauthorised pesticide ethylene oxide has led to the recalling of a batch of Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles.
The affected product has the batch code SG B6 and best before date 18/09/2022.
The FSAI said: "This pesticide is not authorised for use in foods sold in the EU.
"Although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to this substance needs to be minimised."
Frozen Jona Red Tilapia Fish
A batch of frozen fish sourced from Vietnam is being recalled.
Customers are advised not to eat the fish due to the presence of unauthorised substances called malachite green and leucomalachite green..
The affected batch has the 'lot number' VN/472/IV/169 and best before date of 17/09/2023.
An FSAI spokesperson explained: "Malachite green is an unauthorised veterinary medicine which is not permitted in foods in the EU. This substance can be broken down to form leucomalachite green.
"Malachite green was previously used in some countries to treat parasites and fungal and bacterial infections.
"Although in breach of the Reference Point for Action, the fish in question does not pose an acute risk to health, but there may be an increased risk if there is continued consumption over a long period."
Fray Bentos Just Chicken Pie
Fears that a batch of Fray Bentos Just Chicken Pie may contain plastic has led to the product being pulled from shop shelves.
The affected product is 425g and has batch code L079T, with time code between 06:00 - 08:22, and a best before date of 09/2023.
The chicken pie is sold in a number of supermarkets across Ireland including Tesco, SuperValu and Dunnes Stores.
The FSAI said: “Baxters Food Group Ltd. is recalling the above batch of Fray Bentos Just Chicken Pie due to the possible presence of small pieces of plastic.
“Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch.”
Mars Bounty Ice Cream Bars
Mars Bounty Ice Cream Bars are also on the list of affected items.
One batch has been recalled due to the presence of the same unauthorised pesticide, ethylene oxide, that impacted Haagen-Dazs and Hao Hao Chicken Flavour Instant Noodles.
The affected bars are 51.6g, have the batch code 037C3DOE02 and a best before date of 31/08/22.
Tesco Free From Digestive Biscuits
Tesco is recalling a batch of Tesco Free From Digestive Biscuits due to the possible presence of small metal pieces.
The affected packs are 160g and have a best before end date of March 2023.
Lidl Culinea Paella
Lidl Ireland is recalling a batch of its frozen Culinea Paella, because the cooking instructions are not labelled in English.
The implicated product is a 750g pack with a batch code L1354-2 and best before date of 20/06/2023.
