Major supermarket launches urgent recall on chocolate cupcakes which contain walnuts… but don’t mention it on label
ONE major supermarket has issued an urgent recall on its popular chocolate mini cupcakes due to a dangerous packaging error.
The high-end supermarket has pulled the cakes off the shelves after discovering that some packs contain coffee and walnut cupcakes, despite being labelled as chocolate mini cupcakes.
This alarming mistake by Waitrose meant that the product could pose a severe health risk to those allergic to walnuts.
The affected products come in packs of nine and have a best before date of July 20.
In a swift response to the blunder, Waitrose and Partners are urging customers who have purchased these cupcakes to return them immediately for a full refund.
The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to explain the situation and provide guidance on what to do next.
They advised: “Concerned customers can reach out to Waitrose Customer Care for more information at 0800 188 884, Option 4.”
Allergy sufferers are advised not to consume the product under any circumstances and to contact relevant allergy support organisations for further advice.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also jumped into action, issuing an Allergy Alert to ensure that the public is informed about the potential danger.
They added: “Waitrose and Partners are recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.
In cases where food products present a risk due to incorrect or missing allergy labels, it is standard procedure for the FSA to call for a recall.
A Waitrose spokesman added: “We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.”
Withdrawal or recall of such products ensures consumer safety and adherence to allergen regulations.
An estimated two million people in the UK live with some kind of food allergy.
The most common is thought to be egg white, followed by wheat, green beans, rye and almonds.
Reactions to these foods can range from a sniffle or itch to life-threatening anaphylaxis, which blocks the airways.
Other symptoms can include:
- Swelling of your throat and tongue
- Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
- Difficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voice
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
- Feeling tired or confused
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
- Skin that feels cold to the touch
- Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue (if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
Deaths from serious reactions due to food have declined over the past 20 years, analysis of UK NHS data in 2021 found.
Allergies can be a serious health risk to those who suffer from them, one Love Island star Jack Fowler revealed how he almost died on a flight to Dubai after suffering a serious allergic reaction.
Meanwhile, it seems his case is not isolated, as a BBC weather presenter described her “humiliating and desperate” experience over a nut allergy row which kicked off on her flight.
Elsewhere, a grieving mum reaches out to parents over the death of her 5 year old who suffered a fatal reaction at school, now she fears many other kids could face the same fate.
What to do if you have anaphylaxis
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one (instructions are included on the side of the injector).
- Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you’re having an anaphylactic reaction.
- Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you’re struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you’re pregnant, lie on your left side).
- If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting if it’s still in the skin.
- If your symptoms have not improved after five minutes, use a second adrenaline auto-injector.
Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.
Source: NHS