Latest news with #porkpies
Daily Mail
11-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Do not eat warning issued as major supermarket chain recalls pork pies due severe risk
Co-op has urgently recalled a batch of pork pies over fears they could cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. The supermarket is pulling its Co-op 4 Mini Pork & Pickle Pies from shelves because they contain milk that is not declared on the label. This means the product could be dangerous for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents. The recall affects the 200g packs with use-by dates of 13 August 2025, 14 August 2025, and 16 August 2025. Milk is one of the UK's 14 major food allergens, alongside peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, soya, wheat, and others. In people who are allergic, even tiny amounts can trigger symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis—a medical emergency which can be fatal if not treated quickly. An intolerance to milk, while not usually life-threatening, can also cause unpleasant symptoms including stomach pain, bloating and diarrhoea. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: 'If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, do not eat it. 'Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund or replacement (subject to availability). If purchased online, you can receive a refund by calling 0330 041 7737.' Co-op said it had been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members 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. Co-op customers can also contact the retailer's Careline on 0800 0686 727 or email via the Product issues or returns section of the Co-op website. Food recalls for undeclared milk are among the most common in the UK, affecting a wide range of products from ready meals to baked goods. In 2021, five-year-old Benedict Blythe died after going into anaphylactic shock at his primary school in Cambridgeshire when he was exposed to cow's milk protein. An inquest heard the likely source was cross-contamination involving his own drink bottle at break time. The jury found delays in giving him his EpiPen, confusion over milk storage, and a lack of clear allergy protocols. His mother said her son's death was 'preventable' and is now campaigning for 'Benedict's Law'—new rules to ensure all schools have robust allergy safety policies, staff training and spare adrenaline auto-injectors. In 2022, 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs collapsed and died after being served a hot chocolate made with cow's milk instead of soya at a Costa Coffee branch. The inquest found there had been a 'failure to follow the processes in place to discuss allergies' and a breakdown in communication between staff and Hannah's mother. She had severe allergies to dairy, fish and egg. Her case prompted renewed calls from consumer safety bodies for food businesses to improve allergen awareness, with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute warning there is 'no room for complacency' when it comes to preventing such tragedies. In allergy-related recalls, the problem is often incorrect or missing labelling, but it can also be due to cross-contamination during manufacturing. Experts advise that allergens should be avoided entirely by those affected, even if the quantity seems small. According to Food Allergy Research & Education: 'Even a trace amount of a food allergen can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis in some people.' Allergy charities have welcomed the use of public recall notices but have called for clearer labelling and tighter controls to reduce mistakes. They point out that around two million people in the UK are estimated to live with a food allergy, with milk allergies among the most common, particularly in children. The Anaphylaxis UK charity advises that anyone experiencing swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness or collapse after consuming a product should use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately if prescribed, and call 999. Co-op has apologies for any inconvenience caused. The supermarket has not disclosed how the labelling error occurred. Shoppers can stay informed about recalls by subscribing to the FSA's allergy alert email service or checking the alerts section of its website.
The Sun
09-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Major supermarket urgently recalls pork pies over ‘health risk' as customers urged to ‘dispose of product'
A MAJOR supermarket has urgently recalled its pork pies over a concerning health risk. Co-op shoppers are being urged to immediately dispose of the pastries and return them to a local store for a full refund. 2 2 The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced the recall which applies to four-pack Mini Pork and Pickle Pies found at Co-op stores. The reason is because they contain milk which isn't mentioned on the label. Shoppers with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents will be at risk should they eat the pies, the FSA has warned. The 200g packs which should be checked will have a use by date of either August 13, August 14 or August 15. Co-op has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations. The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers titled "dispose of product". They say shoppers can return the pork pies to a Co-op store and receive either a full refund or a replacement which suits their health needs. If purchased online, a refund can be processed by phoning 0330 041 7737. Alternatively, call or email Co-op's contact teams for further help. It comes as Lidl customers have been warned not to eat a popular dinner item as it could be lethal. Popular cookie recall upgraded to most dangerous class – with experts warning of 'reasonable probability of death' Tempura 4 Chicken Steaks were pulled from shelves as the packaging had undeclared allergens. The item contains milk but this was not emphasised in bold in the ingredients list. Days earlier, a viral "Dubai-style" sweet treat was also pulled from shelves for failing to declare milk as an ingredient. Denar Limited recalled Destan Pistazien Crème Dubai Style as it poses a dangerous health risk to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk. Waitrose also recalled its Egg and Spinach Protein Pot due to concerns it could contain the bacteria Salmonella. Salmonella infections can cause fevers, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. The supermarket giant is now urging customers to not eat the product if they have bought it, and to return it to the store where they purchased it. Your product recall rights CHIEF consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item.
