Irish shoppers are being warned that some supermarkets have recalled a number of food products over safety fears.
Popular items such as chicken, chocolate, sweets and meat have been marked as unsafe by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in the last few days. The affected products were sold in big-name supermarkets such as Lidl, Dunnes, Aldi, Tesco, SuperValu, and more.
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, with shoppers urged to check their fridges and cupboards for the affected foods. 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.”
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Here are some 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.
They added: "Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated products. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale."
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.
According to the FSAI, 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.
FSAI chicken recall (Image: FSAI)
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 of this product: "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.
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