Urgent recall issued for pasta brand sold nationwide over serious health risk
Waitrose has taken its Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta ready meal off the shelves as it contains mustard which is not mentioned on the label.
This makes any of the 375g packets with a use by date of August 27 dangerous for people allergic to mustard, which is among the top 14 allergens in the country.
The upmarket grocery store chain has put up signs at the tills across its 329-store network to advise any shoppers who have bought the risky £3.75 product.
It orders any customers with a mustard allergy not to eat the dish but instead package it back up as best they can and return it to their local Waitrose branch for a refund.
The supermarket firm has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations for the mustard allergen, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.
These groups will urgently let their members know, in case they have come into contact with the dangerous microwaveable product.
Waitrose said: 'We apologise that it has been necessary to recall this product and for the inconvenience caused.'
The product safety notice is dated as applying until September 27, a month after the affected pasta goes out of date.
Any concerned shoppers can contact Waitrose Customer Care on 0800 188 884, via option four.
The shop's description of the pasta reads: 'Cooked penne pasta with extra mature Cheddar cheese, basil pesto and lemon sauce, topped with cooked chicken and parsley.
'Penne pasta with tender chicken pieces in a rich sauce made with pesto, cream and extra mature Cheddar. Delicious with a fresh green salad and garlic bread.'
It comes after another ready meal was recalled just yesterday for similar reasons.
Farmfoods has pulled its Ultimate Keralan Chicken Curry from shelves because a 'limited quantity were mistakenly produced with prawns' - which had not been declared on the label.
This means the supermarket chain ready meal is a 'possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to crustaceans (prawns)', the FSA noted.
The recall applies to 400g meals under batch code L550 and with a best before date of February 13, 2026 - shown on the bottom right corner on the front of the pack.
Crustacean allergies can be life-threatening.
Even tiny amounts can trigger symptoms like hives, swelling, vomiting and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis - a medical emergency which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
The FSA said: 'If you have bought the affected product and have an allergy to crustaceans, do not eat it.
'Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.'
Like Waitrose, Farmfoods added it had been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will inform consumers about the recall.
The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers, explaining why the product is being recalled and what to do if they have bought it.
Farmfoods customers can also contact the retailer's customer service team on 0121 700 7160 for more information.
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