Dozens of popular items have been pulled from Irish shop shelves in recent months after being recalled due to food safety fears.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued several Food Alerts or Food Allergen Alerts recently for certain batches of products, including sweets and meat.
Some of the affected products were for sale in the likes of Dunnes, Lidl, Tesco, SuperValu, Aldi and other supermarkets across the island.
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Households are being encouraged to check their cupboards, fridges and freezers for the implicated batches, while shops have removed them for sale.
Any supermarket that stocked the items will have point of sale notices posted in their store and give shoppers a full refund for returning the affected product.
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.”
It has advised anyone with an affected product to not consume it.
Below are some of the current recall notices in effect:
ABC Assorted Jelly Straws and Jelly Fruity sweets
ABC Assorted Jelly Straws and ABC Assorted Jelly Fruity sweets have been recalled as they may present a choking risk due to the presence of unauthorised gel-forming additives.
The FSAI issued an alert on Thursday, saying: "Retailers are requested to remove the implicated products from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
"Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated products.
"Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale."
All batches of the sweets, which originate in Taiwan, are affected.
Iceland Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts in Blankets
A batch of Iceland Cook from Frozen Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts in Blankets has been recalled due to the presence of Salmonella.
The affected batch is 415g, with an approval number PL 22040305 WE and best before date of 15/8/2023.
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 a severe illness.
"Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch. If the chicken has already been consumed, cooking should remove the risk. Raw chicken should always be handled hygienically when defrosting and preparing it, and also cooked thoroughly before eating it."
Raw chicken products
Dozens of chicken products sold in Irish supermarkets this year have been urgently recalled amid Salmonella fears.
Several batches of various raw chicken items were for sale in supermarkets including Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Lidl and Tesco.
While they were sold fresh, the items are now past their use-by-date, but were suitable for home freezing.
Households are being urged to check their freezers for the items and have been advised to not eat any affected batches.
The FSAI said: “Western Brand is recalling expired batches of raw chicken products listed in the table below due to the detection of Salmonella Typhimurium. These products were sold as fresh and are past their use-by date, however, the labels state they are suitable for home freezing.
“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 a severe illness.”
Marks and Spencer Belgian Dark Chocolate bar
A Food Allergen Alert has been issued for a batch of M&S Food Belgian Dark Chocolate bar as it may contain milk which is not declared in the list of ingredients.
The FSAI said: "This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of milk."
The affected batch is a 180g bar with a best before date of 09/11/2023.
Lidl 100% Irish Ham Fillet
Certain batches of Smoked and Unsmoked 100% Irish Ham Fillet's that were sold in Lidl have been recalled due to incorrect boiling instructions on the packaging.
The FSAI said: "Callan Bacon Ltd. is recalling Smoked 100% Irish Ham Fillet and Unsmoked 100% Irish Ham Fillet with specific barcodes due to incorrect boiling instructions detailed on the label. The implicated ham fillets were sold in Lidl stores. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.
"The correct instructions for boiling are: Place fillet in a large saucepan of water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes per 500g, plus an additional 30 minutes. Remove fillet from the water, and allow to stand for 10 minutes before carving. Ensure food is piping hot and cooked throughout before serving."
The affected Smoked ham fillet has a barcode 4056589711575 and the affected Unsmoked ham fillet has the barcode 4056489711568. This recall notice was issued before Christmas, however some customers may have some affected products in their freezer.
Aero hot chocolate
Various Aero Hot Choc drinks have been urgently recalled due to the possible presence of silica beads.
The FSAI said: “Nestle is recalling all batches of three Aero Hot Choc drinks due to the possible presence of small (up to 3mm) food-grade silica beads. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale."
There are three affected products - The Nestle Aero Hot Choc plastic jar (288g), the Nescafe and Go Nestle Aero Hot Choc sachet (24g) and the Nestle Aero Hot Choc cup (28g).
All batch codes and best before dates are affected.
Clearspring Organic Wholegrain Rice Cakes
Certain batches of Clearspring Organic Wholegrain Rice Cakes are being recalled due to an elevated level of aflatoxin B1 in the rice used to produce the batches.
The FSAI said: "Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale."
The affected batches are R22176B with a best before date of 26/06/2023, and R22181B with a best before date of 01/07/2023.
Dunnes Stores Ready to Cook Southern Fried Chicken
Dunnes Stores has recalled a number of batches of its frozen, four pack Ready to Cook Southern Fried Chicken Fillets due to the presence of Salmonella.
The affected batches the best before dates 1 March 2024 and 8 March 2024.
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."
Glenhaven 4 Breaded Chicken Fillets
A batch of Glenhaven 4 Breaded Chicken Fillets is being recalled due to the presence of Salmonella.
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 a severe illness."
The affected batch is 22158B with a best before date of Dec 2023.
Haagen-Dazs Duo Vanilla Crunch Collection Ice Cream
A batch of Haagen-Dazs Duo Vanilla Crunch Collection Ice Cream has been recalled due to the Presence of the Unauthorised Pesticide Ethylene Oxide.
The FSAI said: "The above batch of Häagen-Dazs Duo Vanilla Crunch Collection ice cream is being recalled due to the presence of the unauthorised pesticide 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 product does not pose an acute risk to health, there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide in contaminated food over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to ethylene oxide needs to be minimised."
The affected batch has a best before date of 23/3/2023.
Lidl Stuffed Mussels with Parsley and Garlic
Some batches of frozen stuffed mussels for sale in Lidl have been recalled as their cooking instructions are not labelled in English.
The FSAI said: "Lidl Ireland is recalling the above batches of its Duc De Coeur Stuffed Mussels with Parsley and Garlic because the cooking instructions are not labelled in English.
"Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batches."
The product is a named Duc De Coeur 12 Stuffed Mussels with Parsley and Garlic (frozen). The pack size is 125g. The batch codes are 03.067.22.30 and 03.104.22.30. The best before date are 09/2023 and 10/2023.
Ardo Frozen Fruitberry Mix
Several batches of frozen fruit have been pulled from sale in Irish shops due to the presence of hepatitis A.
The FSAI has issued an urgent recall notice for certain packs of the Ardo Frozen Fruitberry Mix.
Hepatitis A was found in the popular fruit product, which includes a mix of red currants, strawberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and blueberries.
The FSAI says hepatitis A can make people sick for a number of months.
A spokesperson said: “The above batches of Ardo Frozen Fruitberry Mix is being recalled due to the presence of hepatitis A. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch.
“Hepatitis A infection is an acute disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
“Some people experience a fairly mild illness and recover within a couple of weeks. Other people develop more severe symptoms and may take months to fully recover. Older people are more likely to have more severe symptoms and some infected children do not have any symptoms at all.
“The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 28 days but can range from 15 to 50 days.”
The affected products have a 'Lot:58622131' and all best before dates in May 2024 are affected.
Ella’s Kitchen Banana and Vanilla Bread Pudding
Ella’s Kitchen is recalling specific batches of Ella’s Kitchen Banana and Vanilla Bread Pudding due to Possible Microbiological Contamination.
The FSAI said: "This product may contain microbiological contamination and could be unsafe to eat."
The affected products have batch codes L192 and L193 and best before date: 04/23.
Haagen-Dazs ice cream
The FSAI has issued an urgent recall notice for various batches of Haagen-Dazs ice cream products, due to the detection of 2-Chloroethanol.
2-Chloroethanol is a recognised reaction product of ethylene oxide, which is banned for use in foods in Europe.
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.”
The Haagen-Dazs flavours included in the recall are 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.
Here are the batches affected by the recall:
The notice is for all best before dates up to and including May 21, 2023.
Roma Formaggio Da Pasta
The FSAI has issued a recall notice on a popular Italian product sold in supermarkets nationwide.
The alert on Roma’s 'Formaggio Da Pasta' is due to the potential presence of mould.
The affected batch is in a pack size of 80g with the best before date 05/05/2023.
Fray Bentos Just Chicken Pie
A batch of Fray Bentos Just Chicken Pie has been pulled from shop shelves amid fears it could contain plastic.
People are advised to check their cupboards to see if they have an impacted batch and if so, return it to the shop where it was bought.
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.”
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.
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.
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